New Zealand’s most advanced test battery partnership once again came to its rescue on Saturday on the first day of the first cricket test against Pakistan. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor took an unbroken stand of 115 for the third wicket that lifted New Zealand from 13-2 in the morning session to 128-2 at tea as they fought first after losing the toss. . Taylor 66 was not out at the break and Williamson, ready to reach his 33rd century, was 49.
Taylor’s 34th fiftieth test was also the second slowest in terms of balls he faced, coming from 127 deliveries with eight boundaries. Williamson and Taylor have fought together more than 150 times in trials, accumulating more than 3,000 runs at an average of over 50.
A partnership of that magnitude was desperately needed on Saturday as Shaheen Afridi fouled New Zealand’s openers after Pakistan won the toss and batted on a responsive pitch at Bay Oval. Williamson and Taylor went one better, outperforming the 10th century partnership in trials. The milestone, to which Taylor added 54 runs and Williamson 43, came up just before tea. Williamson has been on stage since the first game. New Zealand opener Tom Latham (4) went out to the third of the innings and the opposing captain was called in to lead the fight. His first partnership with Tom Blundell was short-lived. Blundell was out for 5 in the 11th over when New Zealand had only 13 runs on the board.
Taylor joined Williamson and the pair began one of their commercial reconstruction operations. Batting had not been easy in one of the first two sessions. Pakistani sailors have been calling for helpful situations. Afridi’s speed and kicking made it difficult to handle early and Mohammad Abbas kept pressure on the New Zealand batsmen with his line and non-stop length.
Abbas’ first 11 petals included seven maids and only cost 10 runs as he tested the batsmen with a straight line outside the stump and with his ability to hit the ball. moving back to the right hand tool made it leave the ball a dangerous choice. New Zealand are unbeaten in 15 Tests at home and recently beat West Indies 2-0 in a two-game series.
In both of those games the West Indies won first throwing and bowling on green fields and New Zealand reached the first innings of 519-7 and 460. These numbers showed non- the ability of the West Indies to keep pressure on the bats in helpful bowling situations.