New Zealand seek urgent batting revival
ESPNcricinfo previews the second Test between New Zealand and Pakistan in Wellington
Match facts
January 15-19Start time 11.00 (2200 GMT)
Big Picture
The wicket in Hamilton for the opening Test didn't warrant a three-day match, but New Zealand made it one with their hapless batting in the second innings. The temporary relief provided by a Twenty20 series win, also marking an encouraging start to John Wright's tenure as coach, was sullied by a spineless capitulation on a flattish pitch at Seddon Park. In what are expected to be tougher batting conditions in Wellington, with more swing and movement on offer for the fast bowlers, and where New Zealand were beaten by Pakistan early last year, an urgent recovery is the need of the hour for the hosts. The focus remains on the top order: Tim McIntosh is struggling and could well be replaced, Martin Guptill was given a torrid time by the left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman and the question remains of whether Brendon McCullum will shed some of his aggression in more testing conditions.Form guide
(Most recent first)Pakistan: WDDLW
New Zealand: LLDDL
Watch out for…
Left-arm seamer Wahab Riaz was the quickest bowler in the first Test, regularly hitting speeds of around 145kph and causing problems for the batsmen with the angle from which he bowls. He was unlucky in the first innings in Hamilton, but took three crucial wickets in the second. On a more helpful surface in Wellington, New Zealand's struggling batsmen will face a stern test.Pitch and conditions
The first Test was played on a slow-and-low track, something more likely to be seen in Pakistan than in New Zealand. Wellington is likely to be a more traditional New Zealand wicket, with plenty of sideways movement and also extra bounce to interest the quicks. Rain is forecast during the Test, though Saturday is expected to be a sunny day.Team news
Stats and trivia
- Chris Martin is seven short of becoming only the fourth New Zealand bowler to reach 200 Test wickets.
- Pakistan have lost only one Test series in 13 visits to New Zealand.
- Since 1990, Pakistan have won all three Tests they have played at Wellington, the best win-loss record for any visiting team at this venue.
- Since 1990, New Zealand have been dismissed for less than 200 on nine occasions against Pakistan, the most against any opposition. Their lowest score in home Tests in that period is 93, which also came against Pakistan.
- Daryl Tuffey's 30 wickets against Pakistan is the highest for a New Zealand bowler against one opposition in home Tests since 2000. He is followed by Chris Martin who has 26 wickets in seven home Tests against Pakistan.
Quotes
"We understand it was a poor performance but if we get too down in the dumps then we're not going to rectify it here."Daniel Vettori doesn't want to wallow in the past
Umar Gul says Pakistan won't be fazed by a fast-bowlers' track in Wellington
Siddhartha Talya and Siddarth Ravindran are sub-editors at ESPNcricinfo