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Accommodating Straighter Deliveries In Heavily Spinning Conditions Williamsons Mantra Of Success

Accommodating straighter deliveries in heavily spinning conditions: Williamson’s mantra of success

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson is aware of the spin that Indian bowler will generate and is ready to face that as well in the upcoming two-match Test series that begins with the first Test in Green Park, Kanpur from November 25. But it is the ball that straightens and doesn’t turn is the one that he and all other Kiwi batters will be looking out for.

"I suppose on some of these surfaces, the condition of the ball - whether it is new or old - is definitely a big factor and I guess one of the challenges is when you see the ball spin in such a big way and then the next one goes straight. It's about trying to come up with a game plan to accommodate that as well as you can while looking to score,” Williamson said in a press conference prior to the first day of play.

Recognising that a number of teams have come here in the past and faced similar challenges, Williamson said that New Zealand’s condition wouldn’t be much different either.

“There'll be a large spin component throughout the series. So the guys have been trying to prepare as well as they can and they're looking forward to the challenge. We know the strength of the Indian spin bowlers. They've been fantastic for a long time,” said the 31-year-old.

So to deal with the Indian spinners, the Kiwi skipper said that they would be looking to come up with different methods and ways to score and try and be effective and build those partnerships. “The ways will be slightly different from one another [for each player]. We're trying to prepare as well as we can for the challenges that are coming up," Williamson said.

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IND vs NZ | 1st Test: No better challenge than playing India in India says Kyle Jamieson

New Zealand fast bowler Kyle Jamieson is excited to play for New Zealand again after a gap of almost five months in an international game. He last played an international in June 20221 which was also the final of the World Test championship which New Zealand won. “It certainly feels a long time ago. No better way to start than the challenge of India in India,” he said on being asked about the challenge to play Test cricket in India. “I haven’t played a whole lot of cricket over here. I had the first half of the IPL which was good, but this will be different again,” the Kiwi bowler was quoted as saying by stuff.co.nz. It is not sure whether Jamieson would find a place in the playing XI in the first Test starting at Green Park in Kanpur from November 25 onwards, especially with Kiwi coach Gary Stead saying that they might field three spinners against India. But given that, Jamieson has the advantage of height which could be useful if New Zealand win the toss. “If I do play and get the new ball, it’s trying to swing that and as the conditions change and the roles change throughout the game, try to focus on that,” Jamieson, who has picked 46 wickets in only eight Tests said. Talking about his role in the team, the six-foot-tall bowler, who can also handle the willow pretty well said, “I’ve got Wags (Neil Wagner) and Timmy (Tim Southee) here, so that’ll be good to bounce ideas off them, to get their expertise on how to bowl here. I think for me it’s not trying to change my game too much — still try and stick to my strengths but try and adapt to what the conditions give.”

Lungi Ngidi ruled out of Netherlands ODIs after testing positive for Covid-19, Junior Dala called-up

South Africa pacer Lungi Ngidi will miss the three-match ODI series against the Netherlands at home after he tested positive for Covid-19. Ngidi has been replaced by Junior Dala in the side. Ngidi has played 29 ODIs in his career so far and has scalped 54 wickets at an economy of 5.62. The Proteas will be led by Keshav Maharaj as the selectors have rested the senior players Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje for the series. The three-match series is scheduled to commence on Friday in Centurion and the second and third games will be played on November 28 and December 1 respectively at the same venue. Apart from Maharaj, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, Andile Phehlukwayo, Wayne Parnell, Tabraiz Shamsi are some of the prominent names in the squad. This series is part of the ICC ODI World Cup Super League where 13 teams are competing to get a direct birth at the 10 team tournament scheduled to take place in India in 2023. South Africa squad: Keshav Maharaj (capt), Daryn Dupavillon, Zubayr Hamza, Reeza Hendricks, Sisanda Magala, Janneman Malan, David Miller, Junior Dala, Dwaine Pretorius, Andile Phehlukwayo, Wayne Parnell, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Khaya Zondo.

IND vs NZ | 1st Test: Shreyas Iyer set to make Test debut

India’s stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane has confirmed that Shreyas Iyer is set to make his Test debut in the first match against New Zealand in Kanpur. India are without the services of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. While Iyer had been in the squad, Suryakumar Yadav was picked later in place of KL Rahul who was ruled out of the series with a thigh muscle strain. "It is a big blow obviously," Rahane said of the Rahul injury. "He did really well in England, he was in good form, obviously we will miss him. But we have guys who can do that job, guys who have done well for us in the past. So not too worried about the opening slot," was quoted as saying in an ESPNCricinfo report. The first game of the two-match Test series will begin on Thursday in Kanpur. New Zealand are touring India for three T20Is and two Tests respectively. The visitors suffered a 0-3 defeat in the T20I series and will look to turn fortunes in Tests. The last time the two sides met each other in a Test was the final of the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship that New Zealand won.

This is something we are really waiting for: Harmanpreet Kaur on women's IPL

Harmanpreet Kaur is hopeful that the women’s IPL will take place sooner than later which would eventually help the domestic players as they will get the opportunity of playing with international cricketers. "I think we have been looking at this for a long time and I hope, you know, sooner this women's IPL will also start and we will also invite overseas players over there so that they can also share their experience with our domestic players," said the Indian T20 captain. "I think this is something we are really waiting for and I hope, you know, this will start,” she added. The right-hander created history after she became the first Indian to be named WBBL player of the tournament while playing for Melbourne Renegades in the current season of the Australian domestic T20 tournament for women. The Renegades will be playing the Challenger on Thursday where they will face either of the two among Brisbane Heat and Adelaide Strikers. Harmanpreet, who has played 12 games so far has scored 399 runs at an average of over 66 and scalped 15 wickets at an economy rate of 7.46. The final of the tournament is scheduled to take place on Saturday in Perth. The Perth Scorchers Women side has already registered a place in the title clash.