India Newzealand 2nd Test Update - van Wyk - Who ?

Test Cricket has class is different – sad that not many are watching now a days

Players with lesser  caliber can shine in ODIs and in T20s [not to speak of the IPL] – it requires class to perform in Tests – it can unnerve even the best of the batsman when there is a slip cordon and a simple mistake can result in walking back to the pavilion.  The little Master Sachin found to his dismay, bowled by a good delivery – critics will have a field day describing that his foot was not moving.  Such occasions generate opportunity to all and sundry to talk about the retirement of Sachin.  This is no life Insurance, for others to draft life plans – Sachin would know that better and as long as he is fit enough, he would certainly walk into any team..  better leave it at that.  In the last couple of innings, he is not all that fluent and even the little master when circumspect and not free flowing, is not a great treat to watch !!

The 2nd Test at Bangalore is unfolding differently from the script that one would have imagined after the 1st one at Hyderabad – but that is the beauty of Test or the game itself – ‘the unpredictable nature’.

file photo of Van Wyk from cricinfo.com

In a Team which has the flamboyant Brendon Mccullum, you may not have heard much of Van Wyk.  Cornelius Francoius Kruger van Wyk was born at Wolmaransstad, in 1980.  Wolmaransstad   is a maize-farming town situated between Johannesburg and Kimberley in North West Province of South Africa.  Yes he is from South Africa and as Mark Boucher showed few signs of relinquishing his position, his coach suggested him to move to Canterbury, New Zealand, he took it. Sad that Boucher suffered an eye injury at the start of the present series in England and had to fly back home.   Wyk had a good match with the bat, which coupled with the century of Ross Taylor took them to a good score.

Starting the day at 328/6, wickets fell easier and Kiwis were all out for 365 – a good score by any account.  It was a good wicket to bat on and another grind was on the cards – but that was not to be !! Kiwis took the wickets of Gautam Gamhir and Cheteshwar Pujara, and had India at 63 for two at lunch.  At the crease, though, were Virender Sehwag on 39 and Sachin Tendulkar on 4. Sehwag had begun his innings watchfully, made some thunderous strokes but at the other Sachin was too circumspect against all bowlers.   Tim Southee took the wicket of Gambhir and bounced Pujara out

Indians in a precarious position at 80 for 4 were rescued by the partnership of Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina – with Raina coming good at last. Remember this Series is without DRS with the Indian’s stout objection to the technology calling it incomplete after some bad experience. 

At 156 for 4 Off spinner Jeethan Patel got one to spin and bounce deceiving Raina completely and after a smart work by keeper van Wyk, Newzealanders were seen celebrating.  It was referred to the TV Umpire and at the first instance, it was noticed that Patel had overstepped clearly – it was thus a no-ball – not out and for the TV Umpire Sudhir Asnani ‘whether Raina was in’ was irrelevant.  Later it was clear that Raina’s feet was on air but the smart work of Wyk was negated by the overstepping Patel.  

At the time of posting this, Indians are 226/5 – trailing by 139 runs with Kohli (56) and Dhoni (29) at the crease.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar