Crucial first session ahead for Black Caps

By: Radio Sport staff | Cricket News | Sunday September 2 2012 13:43

The Black Caps are hopeful a strong first session will put them back on top in the second test against India in Bangalore.

The test is evenly poised with the home side resuming on 283/5 with MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli at the crease, 82 runs behind New Zealand's first innings.

Kohli's on 93 and Dhoni's on 46.

Black Caps keeper Kruger van Wyk says if they can take some early wickets the pitch will favour their position.

"It's really hard work, there's a lot of uneven bounce so one would fly through, one would roll through... hopefully we can bowl them out, have a lead, bat again and hopefully push them in on a wicket that like I said, will only get worse to bat on."

He says the morning session could be pivotal in the test.

"It's pretty even at the moment, we'd love to get Dhoni early... so get Dhoni, get Kohli and then we're into their tails so big, big morning session for us."

Van Wyk says the test is still there for the taking.

"It's evenly balanced, and if we can do the same to them as they did to us with a second new ball tomorrow then things (bode) well for us."

The hosts have recovered from 80/4, and van Wyk says they let India get away from them.

"Once that ball got a little bit softer, we probably struggled to contain them a little bit, we probably leaked a couple too many boundaries and there was good partnership between Raina and Kohli."

Tim Southee has three of the five wickets to fall on his return to the test side.

Play is scheduled to get underway at 4pm.

Photo: Kruger van Wyk (Photosport)

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