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END OF DAY ONE
Black Caps 276-6 (B McCullum 25*, D Vettori 40* Extras 12)
Current partnership 65 runs, 16.5 overs, RR: 3.86
(Vettori 40, McCullum 25)
1922 Black Caps 276-6 (B McCullum 25*, D Vettori 40*
Extras 12)
The final over brings the day to a dramatic end as the on-field
umpire gives McCullum out LBW, but McCullum challenges it and it is
over turned. Asif is frustrated and bounces the last ball just over
McCullum's head.
1915 Black Caps 276-6 (B McCullum 25*, D Vettori 40*
Extras 12)
Vettori punishes Gul's short delivery as he knocks it though long
on. One more over left.
1910 Black Caps 270-6 (B McCullum 24*, D Vettori 35*
Extras 12)
Punching the ball through mid-wicket Vettori picks up a double to
get the over off to a good start. The next ball sees him drive it
onto the McCullum's stumps where the ball ricochets and rolls off
through long off for four.
1905 Black Caps 261-6 (B McCullum 23*, D Vettori 27* Extras
12)
Vettori is looking more and more secure in his batting and McCullum
has only made a (comparatively) small amount rash decisions.
McCullum brings up the fifty partnership as he caresses the ball
through extra cover.
1900: Bania from the boundary: A wobbly start with two quick wickets lost, followed by a solid middle order partership that looks to have set New Zealand on the way to a healthy total, only for a soft batting collapse in the shadow of stumps to leave Vettori and McCullum to salvage the innings. Welcome to another summer of New Zealand cricket.
1900 Black Caps 257-6 (B McCullum 19*, D Vettori 27*
Extras 12)
Vettori drives the ball through cover to add four more to the New
Zealand tally.
1856 Black Caps 253-6 (B McCullum 19*, D Vettori 23*
Extras 12)
McCullum picks up two fours in the over. The first he gets as he
smacks a short Gul delivery through extra cover, the second through
mid-wicket.
1852 Black Caps 245-6 (B McCullum 11*, D Vettori 23*
Extras 12)
Only one from the over but it keeps New Zealand's score ticking
along.
1848 Black Caps 244-6 (B McCullum 10*, D Vettori 23*
Extras 12)
Decision goes upstairs for a possible run out of McCullum but the
replay shows he is definitively safe.
1844 Black Caps 242-6 (B McCullum 9*, D Vettori 22*
Extras 12)
The partnership is looking more solid as the two face more balls
and the light is still good enough for them to be seeing the ball
well.
1838 Black Caps 237-6 (B McCullum 6*, D Vettori 20*
Extras 12)
Vettori picks up his third boundary of his innings as he knocks one
through backward point for four. A good inning.
1834 Black Caps 230-6 (B McCullum 5*, D Vettori 15*
Extras 12)
Mohammad Asif only gives up one off the over. Both batsmen are
being cautious as no recognised batsmen come after them in the
order.
1830 Black Caps 229-6 (B McCullum 5*, D Vettori 11*
Extras 12)
McCullum punishes a short ball from Ajmal and sticks it through
point for four. The rest of the deliveries keep the little man in
check.
1826 Black Caps 225-6 (B McCullum 1*, D Vettori 11*
Extras 12)
Aamer is injected back into the attack and his first two balls give
Vettori a scare. McCullum gets on strike and finally gets underway
with a single. Vettori smack a short delivery through cover for
four
1822 Black Caps 219-6 (B McCullum 0*, D Vettori 6*
Extras 12)
Ajmal keeps the New Zealanders down, giving them no chances and
nothing to work with.
1818 Black Caps 219-6 (B McCullum 0*, D Vettori 6*
Extras 12)
Asif is hitting the mark with every delivery and the two fresh
batsmen are struggling to get their footing. Vettori picks up two,
and then knocks one through extra cover for four.
1814 Black Caps 213-6 (B McCullum 0*, D Vettori 2*
Extras 12)
McCullum and his captain are both looking shaky and haven't been
given the chance to get into the game. One run from the over.
1810 Black Caps 212-6 (B McCullum 0*, D Vettori 1*
Extras 12)
Vettori is let off on the first ball he faces when he touches it
back but Imran Farhat puts it down at first slip. Lucky man.
1806 WICKET: G Elliot OUT b Asif for 8 (FOW
211-6)
Elliot nicks it back and gives second slip an easy
catch.
1806 Black Caps 210-5 (B McCullum 0*, G Elliot 8 Extras
12)
Trying to steady the New Zealand line-up McCullum and Elliot get
through the over.
1802: Black Caps 210-5 (B McCullum 0*, G Elliot 7*
Extras 12)
McCullum comes in after the big Peter Fulton gets clean bowled by
Asif.
1758 WICKET: P Fulton OUT b Asif for 29 (FOW
210-5)
Asif goes right through Fulton and skittles the stumps behind the
big man with a ball that he should have connected with.
1757: Black Caps 209-4 (P Fulton 29*, G Elliot 6* Extras
12)
Fulton nips one away for four through fine leg, they are the only
runs of the over. The rest of the deliveries are batted straight
down into the ground.
1753: Black Caps 205-4 (P Fulton 25*, G Elliot 6* Extras
12)
The two Black Caps batsman have been unable to make a breakthrough
and have been held again. If they don't begin to score they might
go looking for shots where there aren't any - dangerous
territory.
1750: Black Caps 205-4 (P Fulton 25*, G Elliot 6* Extras
12)
Another maiden over from Ajmal to put pressure back on the
batsmen.
1746: Black Caps 205-4 (P Fulton 25*, G Elliot 6* Extras
12)
Mohammad Asif is brought back into the attack and fights off some
early deliveries but then gets a double to break up the dock
balls.
1741: Black Caps 203-4 (P Fulton 25*, G Elliot 4* Extras
12)
Saeed Ajmal cracks on with the testing deliveries and holds the
Kiwis to no runs.
1738: Black Caps 203-4 (P Fulton 25*, G Elliot 4* Extras
12)
Umar Gul is looking dangerous but Elliot got off strike
early and Fulton was able to deal with the seamer.
1737: Bania from the boundary: Six runs were all Taylor needed to become the first Black Cap since God-knows-when to score centuries in three consecutive home Tests. Grunter Elliott, who must've thought his Test career was over when he was clean bowled shouldering arms to the last ball of the day in Brisbane last summer, needs to prove his worth here or else Pakistan could easily say they're back on level terms.
1734: Black Caps 201-4 (P Fulton 24*, G Elliot 3* Extras
12)
It's a tough outing so far for the new batsman, Elliot, who is
being attacked by the Pakistan bowlers.
1731: Black Caps 197-4 (P Fulton 20*, G Elliot 3* Extras
12)
Elliot and Fulton stave off the Pakistan attack that has the scent
for blood.
1726: Black Caps 196-4 (P Fulton 18*, G Elliot 2* Extras
12)
The over was a disaster as New Zealand's main run scorer, Ross
Taylor, was sent back to the stands. Grant Elliot comes straight in
and gets off the mark.
1722 WICKET: R taylor OUT b Aamer c Kamran Akmal for 94 (FOW 192-4) It's a massive blow for New Zealand as the man who rescued the innings goes out six short of his century. He swipes a wide doosra outside off stump and it takes an edge that Akmal gobbles up.
1720: Black Caps 192-3 (R Taylor 94*, P Fulton 18*
Extras 12)
Fulton guides the ball out to deep cover point, but is held to two
runs by some excellent fielding. He then gets a few hairy
deliveries that show up his lack of foot movement, but responds
brilliantly by knocking the next two for two and four
respectively.
1716: Black Caps 184-3 (R Taylor 94*, P Fulton 10*
Extras 12)
Only one off the over for Peter Fulton who finally moves into
double figures.
1712: Black Caps 183-3 (R Taylor 94*, P Fulton 9* Extras
12)
Ross Taylor draws ever nearer to a century as he drives the
ball out through long on for four more runs. Taylor then takes a
massive air swing as an Umar Gul delivery whizzes by off stump. He
then finishes up the over by smacking the ball down straight for
another four runs.
1708: Black Caps 175-3 (R Taylor 86*, P Fulton 9* Extras
12)
Saeed Ajmal takes up the bowling at the Southern end and only gives
up a single to Taylor.
1704: Black Caps 174-3 (R Taylor 85*, P Fulton 9* Extras
12)
Umar Gul starts off the last session with a leg bye single to Ross
Taylor. Fulton on strike and he gets a couple.
1643: Bania from the boundary:
New Zealand's session
without a doubt; and Ross Taylor's in particular. But
afternoon tea would've tasted much sweeter had Guptill still been
with him. The sun is out and the wind has died down, and
there's easily enough light to allow the batsmen two more hours to
make hay.
TEA Black Caps 171-3 (R Taylor 85*, P Fulton 7* Extras
11)
Current partnership 27 runs, 8.2 overs, RR: 3.24 (Fulton
7, Taylor 20)
1640: Black Caps 171-3 (R Taylor 85*, P Fulton 7* Extras
11)
It a good start to the over for Taylor who clips a ball back
through third man for four. Fulton survives and New Zealand get
through to tea in a strong position.
1636: Black Caps 165-3 (R Taylor 79*, P Fulton 6* Extras
11)
Taylor gets and early single and Fulton is put back under pressure
by Umar Gul who is out for blood. He with stands the pressure and
knocks a fast ball out through cover for three.
1632: Black Caps 161-3 (R Taylor 79*, P Fulton 3* Extras
11)
Fulton continues to look unimpressive against the Pakistan attack -
spin and pace. The Black Caps get three off the over.
1628: Black Caps 158-3 (R Taylor 77*, P Fulton 2* Extras
11)
Taylor takes an early single and Fulton faces the paceman
Gul. Fulton looks a little uncomfortable and a fierce Yorker almost
squeezes in between bat and pad.
1622: Black Caps 155-3 (R Taylor 75*, P Fulton 1* Extras
11)
Aamer attacks the dangerous Taylor, but the Black Caps' batsman
tips it down past third man for four. He then picks up another
three (a double and a single) to keep the strike.
1618: Black Caps 148-3 (R Taylor 68*, P Fulton 1* Extras
11)
Mohammad Yousuf opts to keep Saeed Ajmal in the attack instead of
going for the jugular. Taylor reads the doosra and knocks it out
through point and the New Zealanders pick up three.
1612: Black Caps 145-3 (R Taylor 65*, P Fulton 1* Extras
11)
Aamer is taking it to the new man at the crease, Fulton, and his
pace is beating his stroke time and again. Fulton is struggling to
establish himself and is seeming to be a bit shell-shocked by the
17 year-old.
1609: Black Caps 145-3 (R Taylor 65*, P Fulton 1* Extras
11)
Fulton gets off the mark with a single off Ajmal.
1608: Bania from the boundary:
Aamer found another gear in
that over and that's poor cricket from Guptill. He'd just
seen Taylor clonked on the head by an Aamer bouncer two balls
earlier and should've been prepared to sit on him for the rest of
the over. Instead he brings out a silly half-hearted hook
shot and perishes, not for the first time in his career. Mark
it down to immaturity.
1606: Black Caps 144-3 (R Taylor 65*, P Fulton 0* Extras
11)
Aamer comes back into the Pakistan attack and cracks one off
Taylor's helmet. Taylor gets a singles and next ball breaks the
partnership as Guptill plays a silly shot.
1505 WICKET: M Guptill OUT bowled Aamer c Alam for 60 (FOW
144-3)
Guptill skies it and Fawad Alam runs out from square leg and takes
a catch over the shoulder.
1602: Black Caps 139-2 (R Taylor 63*, M Guptill 60* Extras
7)
Ajmal is bowling well but he isn't forcing the issue with the
batsmen who are content to just block it and biding their time in
order to pick up their singles.
1600: Black Caps 137-2 (R Taylor 63*, M Guptill 59*
Extras 7)
Whenever it seems the pressure is starting to build on the New
Zealanders they sneak a few runs and keep the score ticking
over.
1555: Black Caps 135-2 (R Taylor 61*, M Guptill 59* Extras
7)
Taylor pushes a poor ball from Ajmal down to fine leg, just using
the pace on the ball and guiding it.
1552: Black Caps 130-2 (R Taylor 57*, M Guptill 58*
Extras 7)
Guptill is reading the ball well and is keeping the Pakistan attack
in check very well. It seems to be frustrating the visitors who
can't get a breakthrough.
1549: Black Caps 130-2 (R Taylor 57*, M Guptill 58* Extras
7)
Taylor struggles with the deceptive bowling from Saeed Ajmal, and
almost gets undone by a doosra. Maiden.
1545: Bania from the boundary:
Ahhh, the first referral of
the series. Looked not out in real time, and the replays
confirm this. Nice to get a straightforward one out of the
way first up because as soon as there's a contentious decision the
ruckus will no doubt start up again.
1544: Black Caps 130-2 (R Taylor 57*, M Guptill 58*
Extras 7)
The partnership moves past and Mohammad Asif is looking to hold the
NZ batsmen off. Taylor sneaks one and then Guptill smacks the ball
for four down through long off.
1540: Black Caps 125-2 (R Taylor 56*, M Guptill 54*
Extras 7)
A defensive over from both batsmen and bowler as Pakistan seem to
be falling into a shell and are not taking any proactive
measures.
1536: Black Caps 125-2 (R Taylor 56*, M Guptill 54*
Extras 7)
After Guptill scuffs one for a single, Pakistan use their first
appeal on a possible LBW. It's not given out and it wasn't really
worth wasting an appeal - the pressure of not taking a wicket fro a
long time is beginning to take its toll on pakistan.
1530: Black Caps 122-2 (R Taylor 54*, M Guptill 53*
Extras 7)
Ajmal keeps the New Zealand scoring in check.
1527: Black Caps 122-2 (R Taylor 54*, M Guptill 53* Extras
7)
Guptill mistimes a shot off Asif's speedy delivery that drops short
of any fielders and he gets away with a single. Asif's pace is
lacking a bit but he is still challenging the batsmen.
1523: Black Caps 120-2 (R Taylor 53*, M Guptill 52* Extras
7)
Guptill scrapes a single and some nice running sees Taylor get two.
The partnership is almost at the 100 mark and has really put New
Zealand back in a respectable position.
1520: Black Caps 117-2 (R Taylor 51*, M Guptill 51* Extras
7)
Umar Gul looks to fluster Taylor with another delivery that
completely deceives the Black Caps' batsman - he swipes at the ball
and just misses edging it to the slips. Taylor doesn't let himself
get intimidated and smashes the next delivery down past third
man.
1516: Black Caps 113-2 (R Taylor 47*, M Guptill 51*
Extras 7)
Guptill nudges the ball out to score a single off the crafty
bowling of Ajmal. Taylor gets himself back on strike as he touches
one out between mid-off and cover to get another single.
1512: Black Caps 111-2 (R Taylor 46*, M Guptill 50* Extras
7)
Ross Taylor times his shot beautifully as he cuts the ball through
point for four. He adds another two runs; and it looks like he is
finally attacking the bowlers. His aggressive batting sees him not
only escape with a bad shot but it carries back through to the
boundary for four. He puts that unconvincing shot behind him and
smashes a poor delivery through cover for four.
1508: Black Caps 96-2 (R Taylor 32*, M Guptill 50*
Extras 6)
Back for more Ajmal keeps Guptill scoreless through the over. A
nice tidy over from the off-spinner who was dealt to in his last
over.
1504: Black Caps 96-2 (R Taylor 32*, M Guptill 50*
Extras 6)
Taylor gets another quick two to keep him rolling along,
but next ball Gul goes high and it's clear he is looking for a
wicket. Taylor instinctually swipes at a high delivery that takes a
top edge and carries over fine leg for four.
1458: Black Caps 90-2 (R Taylor 26*, M Guptill 50*
Extras 6)
Taylor crushes a good ball from Ajmal out over mid-wicket
for six and then sneaks a single. Guptill smacks the last ball of
the over out through extra cover to finally notch his first test
fifty.
1454: Black Caps 79-2 (R Taylor 19*, M Guptill 46* Extras
6)
Finally Gul shows a hint of fallibility as he glances one wide off
Guptill's pads that races away to the boundary for four. The rest
of the over was solid form Pakistan.
1450: Black Caps 75-2 (R Taylor 19*, M Guptill 46* Extras 2)
Saeed Ajmal continues again after lunch with his off-spin
and keeps the New Zealanders in check. The Black Caps still haven't
scored after luch.
1446: Black Caps 75-2 (R Taylor 19*, M Guptill 46* Extras
2)
And we're back to the action with Gul straight back into it bowling
at Guptill. After only giving up one run in six overs in the
opening session he maintains the momentum as adds another maiden to
his tally.
LUNCH: Black Caps 75-2 (R Taylor 19*, M Guptill 46*)
Current partnership 48 runs, 22.1 overs, RR: 2.16 (Taylor
19, Guptill 27)
1406: Bania from the boundary: A cricketing
luminary once likened the first morning of a Test series to losing
one's virginity: it's long awaited, exciting and over far too
soon. That said, the batsmen won't mind the lunch break too
much. It's been a stern examination - particularly Taylor -
but they're both still there and batting conditions will only
improve in the afternoon.
1405: Black Caps 75-2 (R Taylor 19*, M Guptill 46*)
Guptill and Taylor take some easy singles just before
lunch. Pakistan still in control of the first Test in
Dunedin.
1358: Black Caps 72-2 (R Taylor 18*, M Guptill
44*)
Taylor lets loose first ball of the over as he smashes it out past
gully for four, but he is looking a little dangerous in his
approach.
1356: Black Caps 72-2 (R Taylor 14*, M Guptill 44*)
Saeed Ajmal keeps Taylor in check and only allows one off the over
with some faster deliveries around the 92km/h mark.
1352: Black Caps 71-2 (R Taylor 13*, M Guptill 44*)
Ross Taylor has taken the restraints off and seems to be taking a
more pro-active approach - he notches a single. Guptill smacks a
tired Asif delivery over the square leg umpire for four.
1348: Black Caps 62-2 (R Taylor 12*, M Guptill 40*)
Pakistan bring in off-spinner Saeed Ajmal to shake things up a bit
just before lunch, and it works out well as he bowls a
maiden.
1345 Bania from the boundary:
Its danger time for
Martin Guptill as he enters the 40s. In his young career (12
innings) he has three times got out when on 35 or more and not once
got 50. His highest score remains 49 and it will be a watershed
moment if the talented left-hander can lift his bat in Test cricket
for the first time
1343: Black Caps 62-2 (R Taylor 12*, M Guptill
40*)
Taylor thrashes a poor delivery from Asif all the way through cover
for four. He notches another two knocking it out through square leg
and mid-wicket.
1339: Black Caps 56-2 (R Taylor 6*, M Guptill 40*)
Guptill knocks two boundaries off the over and both are
great drives down through mid-off. Guptill is getting back into the
swing of things. This partnership must remain in tact with only 15
minutes to go until lunch.
1335: Black Caps 52-2 (R Taylor 6*, M Guptill 36*)
Pakistan should be in a far more dominant position, but
they put down some easy catches. No runs off the over.
1331: Black Caps 48-2 (R Taylor 6*, M Guptill 33*)
Taylor ducks into a low delivery from Aamer, and it seems
the constant bouncers are getting to him - he's lucky it doesn't
squirm through on to the stumps. Taylor gets a single. Guptill
should have been picked off on the ropes when he top edges it but
it slips through the fielder's hands for six.
1325: Black Caps 41-2 (R Taylor 6*, M Guptill 27*)
Guptill is finding it hard to decide when to leave the
ball and when to have a go - a batsman in two minds. Gul looks
dangerous, with every delivery searching for holes in Guptill's
defence.
1321: Black Caps 41-2 (R Taylor 6*, M Guptill 27*)
Taylor finally gets a boundary as he knocks one past long
on for four. The 17 year-old Aamer remains dangerous and is testing
the wits of Taylor with a number of dangerous deliveries.
1317: Black Caps 37-2 (R Taylor 2*, M Guptill 27*)
Gul continues to test the Kiwis who continue to play it
safe.
1313: Black Caps 37-2 (R Taylor 2*, M Guptill 27*)
Aamer tests Taylor, and the Black Cap looks very
tentative in his approach - he still only has two runs to his name.
Aamer holds the New Zealanders to another scoreless over.
1309: Black Caps 37-2 (R Taylor 2*, M Guptill 27*)
Guptill is given a second life when he edges to Imran
Farhat at second slip who lets it slip between his hands and it
bounces off his head. Gul holds the New Zealanders to none from the
over.
1304: DRINKS Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor have
survived a testing half hour before the first drinks break. Guptill
started off fluently but has had to be watchful lately while
Taylor, who did struggle in the UAE, is still trying to find
form. Black Caps are rolling at 2.64 runs/over but run/rate
should be the least of their worries: this pair needs to see lunch
together.
1303: Black Caps 37-2 (R Taylor 2*, M Guptill 27*)
It's not a very captivating batting performance from the
Black Caps who are under the gun from the Pakistani pace attack.
Guptill breaks the monotony with a single on the final ball
before drinks.
1258: Black Caps 36-2 (R Taylor 2*, M Guptill 26*)
Taylor just can't seem to into the swing of things and is
looking a little shaky facing Gul - two bouncers in a row don't
help his composure.
1254 Bania from the boundary: You cant blame
McIntosh for his demise but Flynn was a symptom of early season
rust. How many decent hits has he had since the Sri Lanka
tour?
1253: Black Caps 36-2 (R Taylor 2*, M Guptill
26*)
Asif opens the over with a superb seam delivery that swishes by
off-stump. The second ball is just as testing as it completely
deceives Guptill. He holds himself together and smacks the last
ball of the over down past Asif for four.
1249: Black Caps 32-2 (R Taylor 2*, M Guptill 22*)
First ball bouncer from Umar Gul, doesn't faze Guptill who ducks it
and gets a single off the next. It turns out to be the only run off
the over.
1245: Black Caps 31-2 (R Taylor 2*, M Guptill 21*)
Guptill gets a single off the first ball and puts Taylor
back on strike who finally gets off the mark with two just out past
cover. A testing over that Taylor stands up to well.
1240: Black Caps 28-2 (R Taylor 0*, M Guptill 20*)
The pressure is really on Ross Taylor to hold off the
Pakistani advance. He completely misreads the line of a delivery
that hits him on the pads but he is given the benefit of the doubt.
A second maiden over in a row.
1236: Black Caps 28-2 (R Taylor 0*, M Guptill 20*)
Guptill is back on strike and is now facing Asif, who is
not giving him any reprieve to get his bearings. Guptill fights off
some probing deliveries to leave it up to Taylor to face
Aamer.
1232: Black Caps 28-2 (R Taylor 0*, M Guptill 20*)
Aamer keeps up the pressure with some deceptive
deliveries that leave Guptill caught in two minds whether to play
or leave. Guptill holds out and knocks a single - the only run off
the over.
1225 WICKET: D Flynn OUT bowled Asif for 8
(FOW 27-2)
Daniel Flynn dodges a bullet when the umpire dismisses an LBW
appeal from Mohammad Asif, but the next ball Flynn is caught behind
as it takes a big inside edge.
1224: Black Caps 27-1 (D Flynn 8*, M Guptill
19*)
Mohammad Aamer asks questions of the Daniel Flynn with some
swinging deliveries. Aamer keeps Flynn on his toes with a bouncer
that whizzes by his head. It doesn't faze Flynn who smacks the ball
back through mid-on for four. Guptill takes a single.
1218: Black Caps 22-1 (D Flynn 4*, M Guptill 18*)
Mohammad Asif is really testing Guptill with some ripping
deliveries that sting the hands of the wicket keeper. Guptill
maintains his composure and clips one to the boundary for four
between mid-wicket and mid-on.
1214: Black Caps 18-1 (D Flynn 4*, M Guptill 14*)
Guptill hits Aamer through third man for four after an
over pitched delivery. He looks in good stead as he takes a well
timed single as well.
1210: Black Caps 12-1 (D Flynn 4*, M Guptill
9*)
Guptill drives Mohammad Asif knocks two fours off the over. The
first one down the ground for four and the second extra cover. He
finishes off with a nicely taken single.
1205: Black Caps 4-1 (D Flynn 4*, M Guptill 0*)
Coming in to face the second ball of the test Daniel Flynn blocks
the first delivery he faces. He then smacks one to the boundary to
get NZ off the mark.
1204 WICKET: T McIntosh OUT bowled Aamer for 0 (FOW
0-0)
With the first ball from Mohammad Aamer he cleans out Tim McIntosh
with a beautiful in swinging Yorker that takes an inside edge an
takes out the stumps.
1158: Check out how the teams will line up
below:
New Zealand:
1 Tim McIntosh, 2 Martin Guptill, 3 Daniel
Flynn, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Peter Fulton, 6 Grant Elliott, 7 Brendon
McCullum (wk), 8 Daniel Vettori (capt), 9 Shane Bond, 10 Iain
O'Brien, 11 Chris Martin
Pakistan: 1 Khurram Manzoor, 2 Imran Farhat, 3
Fawad Alam, 4 Mohammad Yousuf (capt), 5 Umar Akmal, 6 Shoaib Malik,
7 Kamran Akmal (wk), 8 Mohammad Aamer, 9 Umar Gul, 10 Mohammad
Asif, 11 Saeed Ajmal
1148: Daniel Vetttori was nonplussed about
batting first but the pressure will certainly be on Martin Guptill
and Tim McIntosh. Vettori has revealed that Daryl Tuffey and Jeetan
Patel have missed selection and that means Bond-Martin and O'Brien
will form a three pronged pace attack. That also means a recall for
Peter Fulton and Grant Elliot and they will be well aware that they
need to make runs. Sun has suddenly come out and we're all braced
for the first ball.
1136: Good morning and welcome to the first Test of the summer. Mohammad Yousuf has just won the toss and elected to bowl first. Cloud cover has rolled over University Oval and the conditions could be helpful for the visitors.
