New Zealand opener Tom Latham revealed New Zealand’s plans for keeping India captain Virat Kohli quiet when the 2 teams meet in the 2nd and final Test of the ongoing series from Saturday and Christchurch.
Tom Latham pointed out that there will be a lot of sideways movement on offer at the Hagley Oval and New Zealand will look to use it in their favour when Virat Kohli is out in the middle.
Virat Kohli is going through a lean patch in the ongoing tour of New Zealand, In 9 innings, the India captain has managed just 201 runs. His twin failure in the 1st Test in Wellington hurt India who succumbed to a 10-wicket defeat — their 1st loss in World Test Championships cycle.
In Wellington, Kohli’s desperation to get bat to ball was evident as the India skipper went chasing a wide ball before perishing in the 1st innings. In the 2nd innings, Trent Boult got the India captain caught behind with a bouncer which Kohli looked to put away instead of swaying his way out.
And Kohli has struggled against the moving ball in the past and it’s going to be a stiff test for the India captain who needs to step up if India are going to avoid a whitewash.
“When Virat comes out to bat we will be ready. He is a quality player and there is a reason why he is up around that No 1 rank for such a period of time,” Latham told the media in Christchurch on Thursday.
“He has done it for a long time and done it in all conditions. If the surface is conducive to sideways movement we will try and exploit that.”
Wagner will be fizzing to get going in the 2nd Test: Latham
New Zealand will also be boosted by the return of Neil Wagner who joins the side back after his paternity leave.
Tom Latham expects the left-arm seamer to get back to his best straightaway and trouble the India batsmen with bounce that will be on offer at the Hagley Oval.
Wagner has made it a habit to use the short balls to his advantage, especially when there is not enough assistance for swing bowlers. Notably, Wagner said he will target Virat Kohli in the 2nd Test which promises to be a high-octane affair.
“I haven’t yet seen him but when he rocks up for training he will be absolutely fizzing up to get going and obviously he will be raring to go. He is been a quality performer for a number of years for us,” Latham said.
“It’s something that Neil has obviously been so good at for so long and he is second to none in terms of accuracy.
“He is a short guy and that makes him harder to play. If the surface is up for that plan he will be looking to go round with that.”
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