2nd ODI at Hamilton............ and when Gundappa Vishwanath captained

In the bench you have Stuart Binny, Varun Aaron and Ishwar Pandey ~ theoretically none posing a serious challenge to the man who has played 71 matches taking 101 wickets …. But his performance in the last 10 matches as you see in the end will make you realize the need for replacing him. 

After the Napier win, Brendon McCullum and Mitchell McClenaghan, the bowler who did the most damage, have both said they were glad at how the bouncers worked against India - four specialist batsmen fell pulling - and that there will be no let-up despite the absence of Adam Milne, who consistently bowled around 150kmph in his first spell.  Milne is out of the rest of the series due to injury and fast bowler Hamish Bennett is the replacement. According to a New Zealand Cricket (NZC) release, an MRI scan revealed a torn abdominal muscle will sideline Milne for approximately six weeks. Milne finished with figures of 1 for 40 in 7.3 overs before leaving the field midway through the 41st over with what appeared to be a side strain. Bennett, 26, has played one Test and 12 ODIs for New Zealand.  Hamish Bennett, a fast bowler for Canterbury, received his first New Zealand call-up for the tour of Bangladesh in 2010. He made his debut at Ahmedabad where Harbhajan made his maiden century.  

The venue for the 2^nd onedayer  might be the closest to home for India. It has slowed down recently, has been helping spinners, has short boundaries, and should bring India good memories of comfortable wins  earlier here.  It is - Seddon Park in Hamilton, the 4th largest city in New Zealand and is renowned for its "village green" setting, affording a picnic atmosphere for spectators. The Stadium was named after the former New Zealand Prime Minister Richard John (King Dick) Seddon.

Hamilton (Māori: Kirikiriroa) is the seat and most populous city of the Waikato Region, in the North Island of New Zealand. The area now covered by the city of Hamilton  was originally the site of a handful of Māori villages.  The Waikato River is the longest river in New Zealand, running for 425 kilometres through the North Island. It rises in the eastern slopes of Mount Ruapehu, joining the Tongariro River system and emptying into Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake. The present course of the river was largely formed by the large volcanic eruption from the Lake Taupo volcanic complex  hundreds of years ago. The name Waikato comes from the Māori language and translates as flowing water.

More than 3 decades ago – after that great victory in Melbourne – India played ODI no. 117 on 15^th Feb 1981 at Hamilton.  India lost the match by 57 runs after restricting the Kiwis to 210 thanks to tight bowling by Kapil.

Incidentally, this was the only One dayer ever captained by the little master – classy Gundappa Vishwanath, the stylist known for his delicate late-cuts and square cuts.  In a career spanning 91 tests (6080 runs), Vishy played 25 One dayers and captained this match as Gavaskar did not play. 

Getting back, here is Ishant Sharma’s bowling performance in the last 10 one day matches, he played.  Really a surprise that he is still playing after the mauling that Faulkner handed in India, taking the match away in that single over of Ishant……….

Overs	Mdns	Runs	Wkts	Econ	Opposition	Start Date	Match
9	0	68	0	7.55	v Sri Lanka	2-Jul-13	ODI # 3382
7	1	30	2	4.28	v West Indies	5-Jul-13	ODI # 3383
4	0	17	2	4.25	v Sri Lanka	9-Jul-13	ODI # 3387
8	1	45	2	5.62	v Sri Lanka	11-Jul-13	ODI # 3388
7	0	56	1	8	v Australia	13-Oct-13	ODI # 3419
9	1	70	0	7.77	v Australia	16-Oct-13	ODI # 3420
8	1	63	1	7.87	v Australia	19-Oct-13	ODI # 3421
7	0	38	0	5.42	v South Africa	8-Dec-13	ODI # 3443
10	1	40	4	4	v South Africa	11-Dec-13	ODI # 3444
9	0	72	1	8	v New Zealand	19-Jan-14	ODI # 3456

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

21^st Jan 2014