Kiwis take pointers from Ganguly ahead of 2nd Test

Troubled by the subcontinent conditions, the spin-wary New Zealanders, on Thursday, took tips from former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly who gladly offered his know-how, demonstrating a few drives near the centre wicket on the eve of the second Test.

The Cricket Association of Bengal chief was seen having a friendly chat with New Zealand batting coach Craig McMillan and another support staff who were paying a lot of attention to the former left-hander.

Ganguly quickly got into his left-handed stance and gave suggestions to play strokes through the V, and how the ball moves in these conditions. The Eden strip has been in the news after it was reported that it would lack spin as the grass was further trimmed on Thursday morning.

“The ball is likely to move in the first two days and there should be turn from day three. We have got Bermuda grass that makes the wicket harder as the ball travels faster. The best part is it grows quicker and takes away the moisture,” Ganguly, who was seen checking the firmness of the pitch with a key, said.

Meanwhile, describing India as one of the toughest places for batting, New Zealand opener Tom Lathamon Thursday  said they have to go back to doing the “cliched things” and rectify their mistakes quickly to save the three-match Test series.

“It’s very difficult to start your innings here. Nothing really changes too much. You need to do all the cliched things, you need to start off an innings. We have to adapt quickly. “I don’t think we were too far away in the first Test. If we were able to do that with bat and ball we will have a good chance,” the left-handed opener told reporters on the eve of the second Test beginning on Friday.

The same rule applies while bowling and Latham said they would look to get early breakthroughs. 

“Starting on these sort of surfaces is the toughest thing. If we can apply pressure to the new batsmen in the first 10-20 balls then we will 

give ourselves some good chance. We have to keep doing it for longer.”