Seamer-Friendly Wicket: Five-Wicket Bag and Best-Ever Figures

seamer-friendly wicket: De Grandhomme, a 30-year-old Zimbabwe-born allrounder who had only one five-wicket bag in 84 first class matches before Friday, set the tone of the second day as he returned the best-ever figures by a New Zealander on test debut, according to Metro News. His fellow debutant, Auckland opening batsman Jeet Raval, held three catches during the Pakistan innings then shared a unbroken 64-run partnership with Henry Nicholls 29 not out which steered New Zealand into a position of strength. After day one was lost to rain, Pakistan was sent in to bat on a seamer-friendly wicket and was bowled out for just 133 in its first innings, with New Zealand 104-3 in reply at Hagley Oval. In conditions ideal for swing and seam bowling, New Zealand seemed to have squandered the advantage of winning the toss as Pakistan openers negotiated the first hour without difficulty. He claimed his first wicket with only his 15th ball and took a series of scalps that included some of the world best batsman, among them Younis Khan 2 . It was important to bowl first, especially on a wicket which has been covered for a couple of days, de Grandhomme said. But de Grandhomme arrival changed the course of the Pakistan innings. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.