New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori adds spice to Sharjah Test

Shahid Hashmi 07:32 26/11/2014
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  • Testing times again: Daniel Vettori will be playing his first Test match in two years.

    Daniel Vettori’s presence will be a boost for Ish Sodhi and Craig who have together taken eight wickets at 90.13 in the first two Tests com­pared to the 24 wickets claimed by Pakistan’s spin duo of Yasir Shah and Zulfiqar Babar.

    – Phil Hughes in 'critical condition' after being hit by bouncer

    Hesson, however, is encouraged by Sodhi and Craig’s display.

    “Our spinners aren’t used to bowling on conditions where foot­holes play such a part.

    Pakistan spinners beat us off the wicket and at home traditionally we try and beat guys in the air,” he said.

    “When you have footholes to hit, it’s very hard to change the method that you’ve trained your whole life.

    "I thought the way Ish and Mark have adapted over the last couple of Tests is pleasing but they are still striving for consistency of pace as well.”

    Besides Vettori, the toss will also be a key factor as the team winning the toss dictated terms in the first two Tests.

    Pakistan piled up 566- 3 after winning the toss and then spun out New Zealand twice for a comprehensive win.

    Despite the odds, New Zealand staged an impressive comeback in the second Test in Dubai, winning the toss and calling the shots before Pakistan, set a target of 261 on the final day, salvaged a draw to set up an intriguing finale.

    Pakistan’s spinners Babar (13 wickets in two Tests) and Shah (11) will hold the key.

    But Brendon McCullum said his team can take confidence from an improved performance in the second Test.

    “We would have loved to have won the second Test,” said McCullum.

    “But you have to look at what we have done in Dubai, bank the confi­dence and head to Sharjah knowing that we have an opportunity to win away from home if we play up a lit­tle bit up.”

    Pakistan will bring in opener Mohammad Hafeez who missed the second Test due to a hamstring injury.

    His bowling action was reported as suspect after the first Test but he can bowl in Sharjah, pending a report of a bio-mechanical analysis performed in England on Monday.

    He returned to Sharjah early yesterday and will replace Taufeeq Umar while paceman Mohammad Talha is likely to come in for Eshan Adil who suffered a side strain.

    Misbah wants Pakistan to improve their fielding in Sharjah after dropping a number of catches in Dubai.

    “I am pretty pleased with the bowling and batting,” said the Paki­stan captain.

    “In the field we need to take our chances because on these sort of wickets if you miss chances it could be really difficult for the bowlers.”

    The two teams also play two Twenty20 matches and five one-day internationals after the Tests. 

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