Tim Southee showed once again why he is regarded so highly as a swing bowler in world cricket as he bowled New Zealand to victory in the first Test against India in Wellington on Monday.
Southee bagged 9 wickets in the match, including a five-for in India’s second innings, as New Zealand registered their 100th Test win to take a 1-0 lead in the 2-match series against India at the Basin Reserve. The veteran Kiwi pacer had picked 4 wickets for 49 runs in the first innings.
Any hopes of an Indian fightback on the fourth morning of this Test was dashed by Southee, who sent back Rishabh Pant, Ravichandran Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah to pip his bowling partner Trent Boult to a five-wicket haul. Boult finished with 4 for 39 after bagging three on Sunday.
“Great win. To beat a quality Indian side, the way we have is very pleasing. The effort throughout from everyone was outstanding. I think this morning was a massive moment in the game. Being able to pick up those two wickets before the second new ball was crucial.
“The more you play, you get back into the rhythm. If you want to play three formats, you got to chop and change. As a bowling unit, to take 20 wickets and an effort like this was pretty pleasing. The wicket had more in it than usual. With the wind there, the ball did a bit more,” Southee said after picking up his Player of the Match trophy.
