Bryan Waddle: Jamaica - Day Two

By: Bryan Waddle | Saturday, August 04, 2012 12:51 PM

That was more like what we should expect from our National cricket team after the substandard showing on the first day.

The bowling was exceptional in hot exhausting conditions, Boult created the initial pressure and through Southee, Wagner and Bracewell the West Indies never enjoyed the comfort they experienced in the Antigua.

Only Samuels was able to summon enough resistance against a Black Caps unit that was lively, demanding, and persistent..

Even in the heat of the afternoon the New Zealand quartet held their composure especially when Samuels was launching his attack on the old ball.

Despite his final figures Southee was the pick of the bowlers, he showed hostility, stamina and sustained accuracy to complement perfectly the swing bowling of Trent Boult.

Boult made the initial inroads with quality swing bowling to dispose of Powell and Fudadin, before Wagner dismissed the dangerous Gayle who had been offered another chance to continue but didn't make the New Zealanders pay this time.

Taylor ensured all his bowlers received good rest time as he intelligently made changes in his attack always getting an attacking response.

Bracewell had to toil for his rewards, but never shirked the hard yards he had to undertake. Wagner was lively and demanding for his two wickets and Boults return to the test arena showed the merits of a player able to swing the ball.

It seemed for a long time that New Zealand might have had a lead greater than the 51 they took into the second innings.

 Samuels was the prime reason for that. After a tentative start when he struggled to get any batting rhythm he produced an exquisite dominant hundred on a pitch that his teammates were humbled.

Heading up to stumps New Zealand had produced a more than acceptable second innings foundation only to lose 2 wickets before stumps but still hold a lead of 110.

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