Ton-up Tom Latham anchors New Zealand in second Test

Joy Chakravarty 18:51 17/11/2014
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  • Celebration: Tom Latham scored his second successive hundred.

    New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum may have scored just 43 runs yesterday, but did enough to give his side an early advantage even before walking out on the crease – he won the toss.

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    McCullum has been insisting on the importance of being lucky with the coin, and when he did make the right call yesterday at Dubai International Stadium, New Zealand batsmen did well to reach 243 for three wickets on the opening day.

    Tom Latham (137 not out) was once again the Kiwi hero as he scored his second century in successive Tests. And unlike Abu Dhabi, there were others who hung around with him for some time, resulting in three partnerships in excess of fifty for the first three wickets.

    The 22-year-old son of former New Zealand international Rod Latham, Tom was extremely impressive in both defence and strokeplay. The one thing that has stood out about him in the series so far is how well he has adapted himself in alien conditions despite his inexperience in international cricket.

    The 258-ball vigil so far has been a tribute to his patience, as well as his battling qualities. Even though he got just one life – on 103 when Azhar Ali at gully dropped a simple catch – there were several moments when the Pakistani bowlers seemed to be gaining an upper hand on him, but he was resolute and fought his way out of those phases.

    When stumps were drawn because of fading light three overs before scheduled close of play, Latham had put together 17 runs for the fourth wicket in difficult conditions with Corey Anderson. Owner of the world record for the fastest ODI hundred (in 36 balls), Anderson showed great patience and was unbeaten on seven in 38 balls.

    The match is not over by any means, but Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq will surely be slightly worried as New Zealand enjoyed their best day on the tour so far. In the series against Australia, and against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi, he had won the toss each time and his batsmen put up a massive first innings score and kept the opposition under pressure from there on.

    The Pakistan attack was reduced to just four genuine bowlers after Mohammed Hafeez could not recover from his hamstring injury. And while it may have increased the burden on the bowlers, it could prove to be a blessing in disguise as Pakistan will have to bat on a deteriorating pitch in the fourth innings and the presence of an extra batsman would be beneficial.

    New Zealand lost just one wicket in each session, with Latham putting on 77 runs with McCullum, 76 with Ken Williamson (32) and 73 with Ross Taylor (23).

    McCullum was looking splendid touch and played some pleasing shots before he holed out to Shan Masood at deep mid-wicket to give Ahsan Adil his first Test wicket.

    Williamson was undone by a brilliant delivery from Zulfiqar Babar which pitched on the leg and turned enough to beat his defence and shatter the off stump.

    Taylor, after a disappointing first Test, applied himself properly this time but became a victim of a smart catch by Masood at silly point off Yasir Shah.

    New Zealand went into the Test with an unchanged team from the first Test, while Pakistan made three changes. Two of them were forced upon them as both openers Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad were unfit and replaced by Taufeeq Umar and Masood, while fast bowler Adil came in place of Imran Khan, who was rested.

    The third and final Test will be played in Sharjah from November 26.

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