Ajit Karn
Tim Southee Equal MS Dhoni’s Batting Record, Aims For Viv Richards
New Zealand captain Tim Southee is well-known for his bowling ability, but he wowed everyone on Saturday when he equal the batting record of former India wicket-keeper batsman MS Dhoni. During the second Test match against England, Southee hit Stuart Broad for a magnificent six, equal MS Dhoni’s Test record of 78 sixes. The right-handed batsman is presently among the Top 15 on the list and is only six sixes away from surpassing the legendary West Indies batsman Viv Richards’ sixes total in the format. Southee struck two sixes while remaining unbeaten on 23 off 18 balls after hitting two sixes.
Tim Southee equals MS Dhoni’s batting record in Tests#ASportsHD #TimSouthee #MSDhoni #NZvENGhttps://t.co/YjGA3PHi3Z
— ASports (@asportstvpk) February 25, 2023
Southee became the first New Zealand bowler to achieve 700 international wickets.
Saturday’s ruthless opening spell from James Anderson cemented his ascent to the summit of the world Test bowling rankings, as England assumed complete control of the second Test against New Zealand.
After England declared their first innings at 435-8, veteran seamer Anderson took 3-37 to reduce the Black Caps to 138-7 on the second day of play in Wellington. England had declared their first innings at 435-8.
Jack Leach, a spinner, also claimed three wickets, leaving New Zealand facing a 297-run deficit with three days remaining.
Red-hot England are on track to dominate the two-match series after winning the first Test at Mount Maunganui by 267 runs with the same combination of aggressive batting and potent new-ball bowling.
Joe Root was unbeaten on 153 when Ben Stokes made his bold pronouncement, giving the tourists half an hour to assault the Black Caps’ top order before lunch.
Anderson responded by dismissing Devon Conway (0) and Kane Williamson (4), leaving the hosts trailing by 12 runs.
The meticulous pacer removed Will Young (2) after the interval to demonstrate why he was reinstated to No. 1 in this week’s ICC player rankings – the oldest player to hold the position, at age 40.
All three batsmen edged to wicketkeeper Ben Foakes, increasing the number of Anderson’s Test victims captured by a wicketkeeper to 188 – 36 more than any other bowler.
Both left-handed batsmen Tom Latham (35) and Henry Nicholls (30) attempted to reverse-sweep Leach (3-45), but were caught by fielders surrounding the bat.
First-Test century-maker Tom Blundell was unbeaten on 25 when play was called off at 5.45 p.m. (04:45 GMT), and his free-wheeling captain Tim Southee was unbeaten on 23 with two sixes in his innings.
Approximately 25 overs were lost due to the late rain, mirroring the early conclusion of day one when the skies broke.
However, England still has ample time to pursue a seventh consecutive Test victory and condemn New Zealand to an eighth consecutive loss.
After resuming play at 315-3, England lost five wickets and scored an additional 120 runs in an entertaining first session.
Harry Brook was dismissed for 186 in the third over, having added only two runs to his overnight total.
His blistering innings was a part of a 302-run partnership with Root, the second-highest in England’s Test history against New Zealand, which rescued the tourists from 21-3 on the first day.
Root advanced effortlessly from his overnight score of 101 to surpass 150 for the fourteenth time in his career.
The 32-year-old was assisted by Stokes, who smashed 27 off 28 deliveries, Stuart Broad (14), and Ollie Robinson (18).
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On Saturday, Root hit ten fours and three sixes, including a reverse ramp drive off Southee’s fourth delivery that cleared the boundary rope.
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Matt Henry, a seamer, returned 4-100 after taking the crucial wicket of Brook by securing a precise caught-and-bowled opportunity.
