News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

This article was first published 13 years ago
Rediff.com  » Cricket » Opening session tomorrow will be crucial: McIntosh

Opening session tomorrow will be crucial: McIntosh

Source: PTI
November 15, 2010 19:56 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

The opening session on the fifth and final day of the second Test will be crucial to New Zealand's fortunes, according to Kiwi opener Tim McIntosh.

"We have to give ourselves a chance to set up a good target. But in trying to do that, I hope we don't lose too many wickets.

"I hope we get there but we need to play with a positive intent," McIntosh said after his team gained a lead of 115 runs by close on the penultimate day of the Test at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, in Hyderabad on Monday.

"The wicket is pretty good, there is not enough turn but there is bounce," the opener, who was involved in an important 125-run partnership for the first wicket with centurion Brendon McCullum, added.

Tim McIntoshAsked about his understanding with his dashing opening partner McIntosh, who himself crafted a patient century in his team's first innings, said "we stay positiveĀ… back and complement each other very well and that is a key factor. If this partnership flourish it will be good for us."

The gritty opener followed his century in the first innings with a 49 in the second essay.

The batsman was twice dismissed by Zaheer Khan in the first Test at Motera, where he recorded a pair, but McIntosh's knocks in the ongoing Test are indications that the batsman has addressed his problems against the canny India spearhead.

"I have worked very hard in the nets to nullify Zaheer's wicket-taking deliveries," McIntosh said.

Zaheer was absent from the field for 136 minutesĀ -- he sat out the entire session between lunch and tea due to abdominal strain, and asked about that, McIntosh admitted that the seamer's absence did help New Zealand.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: PTI© Copyright 2024 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2024

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2024