NZ vs PAK, 1st Test: Tim Southee claims three hundredth wicket as New Zealand edge nearer to victory over Pakistan

Image Source : AP New Zealand’s Tim Southee, centre, celebrates his three hundredth take a look at wicket with teammates after dismissing Pakistan’s Haris Sohail throughout play on day 4 of the primary cricket take a look at between Pakistan and New Zealand at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, Tuesday, Dec. 29
Tim Southee claimed his three hundredth take a look at wicket as New Zealand edged nearer to a win over Pakistan Tuesday on the fourth day of the primary cricket take a look at.
New Zealand set Pakistan 373 to win after main by 192 on the primary innings and declaring its second innings at 180-5, shortly earlier than tea.

At stumps Pakistan was 71-3, nonetheless 202 runs behind, with Azhar Ali 34 not out and Fawad Alam 21. The unbroken 34-run partnership between Azhar and Fawad which occupied 89 minutes earlier than stumps helped the vacationers get better from a dreadful begin which noticed them two wickets down and not using a run on the board.
Southee took the primary Pakistan wicket to fall Tuesday and completed the day with 2-15 from 9 overs.
Southee turned the third Kiwi after Richard Hadlee (431) and Daniel Vettori (361), the thirty fourth bowler from all nations and solely the fourth energetic participant to attain the 300 wicket milestone. His wickets have are available in 76 exams at a mean of 28.48 and a strike charge of 56.8.
Those statistics examine favorably with the England pair James Anderson and Stuart Broad who’ve 600 and 514 wickets respectively however have performed twice as many exams as Southee. Anderson averages 26.7, Broad 27.6 and each have strike charges round 56.
Southee’s common new ball accomplice, Trent Boult, can be closing on the 300 wicket mark. He at present has 275 wickets at a mean of 28.
“It’s obviously a pretty cool moment (to reach 300 wickets),” Southee mentioned. “You’re on the market together with your mates and a few of them have clearly been there for a very long time as properly.
“I’ve enjoyed some great moments with these guys along the way and it’s just a great feeling to be out there with a great bunch of guys and a good crowd here on day four at a beautiful cricket ground.”

At 32, Southee nonetheless has many extra wickets to return.
“I like test cricket and I want to play it as long as I can,” he mentioned. “I don’t prefer to put a quantity on it however you take a look at the likes of James Anderson, nonetheless doing a hell of a job on the age of 38.
“You’re a long time retired so as long as you can keep performing at the levels that a required I don’t see a reason to put a number on it.”
New Zealand started its second innings at the beginning of play Tuesday after bowling out Pakistan for 239 in reply to its first innings of 431 late on the third day.
Openers Tom Blundell and Tom Latham posted half centuries in a 111-run first wicket partnership which set New Zealand on the right track for the declaration. Blundell made 64, Latham 53 and the pair scored at greater than three runs per over which allowed captain Kane Williamson to declare earlier than tea, with about 136 overs remaining within the match.
Williamson made 21, Henry Nicholls 11, B.J. Watling 5, Ross Taylor 12 not out and Mitchell Santner 6 in brisk innings which allowed New Zealand to make an aggressive declaration.
The resolution to drag out with 5 overs earlier than lunch was vindicated when Boult and Southee every claimed a wicket earlier than the break.
Boult had Abid Ali caught by wicketkeeper B.J. Watling from the second ball of his first over. It was Watling’s 250th take a look at catch. Southee eliminated Shan Masood within the subsequent over caught by Ross Taylor at slip and leaving Pakistan 2-0.
Southee’s three hundredth wicket got here when Haris Sohail was caught by Mitchell Santner at quick further cowl after batting 69 minutes for 9 runs. Azhar and Fawad held out for the remainder of the day.
Southee and Boult return Wednesday with the possibility of ending the job and giving New Zealand its third-straight take a look at win of the summer season after its back-to-back innings victories over the West Indies. Neil Wagner continues to bowl regardless of struggling two damaged toes whereas batting on the second day.