Tough task ahead for Kiwi bowlers

As Mahendra Dhoni's Team India yesterday luxuriated in the glory of salvaging the Napier Test from the jaws of annihilation, the New Zealand bowlers, were licking their wounds after being denied what appeared a most likely win after enforcing the follow-on.

They had toiled for over two days while sending down 180 overs in the second innings, a gruelling feat which, with only three days rest, will probably tell on their performance in the Wellington Test starting on Saturday.

In all, the Kiwi attack sent down 273.5 overs on the trot, with pace spearhead Chris Martin bearing the major load, although spinners Daniel Vettori and Jeetan Patel contributed their fair share.

Thirty-four old Martin sent down 54 overs while taking four for 175, Iain O'Brien toiled for 160 and James Franklin laboured for 36 overs without taking a wicket.

"The fast bowlers did a hell of a lot of work," Vettori said as the team left for Wellington yesterday. The bowling loads were spread out pretty evenly but three days standing up does take some toll on bodies," he said.

"How we bounce back from that will be crucial and if we have to bowl first in Wellington I expect the same intensity the guys brought into the Test match."

Meanwhile, India's pace bowlers Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma and Munaf Patel watched the Indian batsmen's marathon, heroic rescue act from the comfort of the pavilion and should be raring to go come Saturday.
Source: New Zealand Herald