Ex-pacer Nash delighted with Kiwis' start in Kanpur, but knows how India can hit back like they did after being bowled out for 83 in 1999 Mohali Test
Dion Nash, who claimed 6-27 in the 1999 Mohali Test match
New Zealand have dominated the first two days of the opening Test at Green Park, Kanpur. But who is to say India won’t strike back in emphatic fashion, weather permitting of course. Definitely not former New Zealand fast bowler Dion Nash, who knows what it is like to be in a side on the ascendancy, only to see India crushing their victory ambitions.
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It happened in 1999 when Nash claimed six for 27 to help bowl out India for 83 on the opening day of the first Test at Mohali on October 10, 1999. More of that later.
Forty four-year-old Nash, who now runs a skin care products business, followed his country’s fortunes as his week was approaching its end in Auckland, and was convinced that Kane Williamson’s side has all the physical and mental attributes to become a strong force in the game.
New Zealand have yet to win a Test in India after former India coach John Wright’s side triumphed in the second Test of the 1988-89 series at Mumbai.
Nash told mid-day yesterday: "The current team have some very fine players. Mentally, they seem very good. My favourite bowler in world cricket is Trent Boult – magnificent, very skillful, plays hard and enjoys the game. I rate him very highly."
“Mitchell Santner (left-arm spinner) really seems to be having fun out there and then you have your established players like Williamson and Ross Taylor, who still have a couple of really good years ahead of him in the twilight of his career. He is still going to post some big scores for New Zealand. Williamson is formulating the roots of a really good side. Whether they can bring it together now against a very seasoned side, only time will tell, but they certainly recovered well on the first day of the Kanpur Test to be in this match.”
That six-wicket haul
When reminded of his six-wicket burst on Day One of the 1999 Test at Mohali, Nash admitted that he bowled “okay” that day on a pitch which had sweated under the covers, one of the reasons why India were skittled out for 83.
But by the end of the day, the Kiwis had lost three wickets for 119. “I remember being aware that the game was a long way from being over. I also remember being very angry with my fellow batters because we were a bit cavalier. We were a good enough cricket team by that stage to know that we had blown away an opportunity,” Nash recalled about the drawn Test.
After being restricted to 215, New Zealand were sent on a leather hunt by Rahul Dravid (144) and skipper Sachin Tendulkar (126*), who helped the hosts to declare at 505 for three. Chasing 374 for victory, the match ended with New Zealand losing seven wickets for 251.
New Zealand’s captain Kane Williamson raises his bat to celebrate his half century during the second day’s play of the first Test against India at Green Park in Kanpur yesterday. PIC/ AFP
Can they break the jinx?
Nash hopes that New Zealand can break the 28-year jinx of not winning a Test here. Can Williamson’s side do it? "I don't think I can answer that," he said. "The team can answer that through their performances, but we hope that’s the case, right? They are a very good and mentally tough side, but the side I was part of in 1999 were a tough one too, but we didn’t win. You need a lot of things to go your way for an overseas win." Meanwhile, Nash will be watching.
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