New Zealand on Tuesday drafted in Kane Williamson to strengthen their batting line-up for the second Test against the West Indies, which will be played on a Wellington wicket tailor-made for bowlers.
Captain Brendon McCullum confirmed on the eve of the Test that Williamson, a late withdrawal from the drawn first match in Dunedin because of a thumb injury, was fit again. He will replace Aaron Redmond at number three in the order.
McCullum suggested leg spinner Ish Sodhi will play, leaving New Zealand with only three seamers despite the short turnaround after the Black Caps’ bowlers were forced to send down more than 200 overs without a break.
“I wonder whether if three can’t get it done whether four will,” said McCullum, leaving open the question over whether Neil Wagner or Brendon Bracewell will join Tim Southee and Trent Boult.
“I think with the all-rounder (Corey Anderson) as well we probably do have enough for three ... so we’ve just got to work out the balance of what three that will be.”
With the Basin Reserve wicket described as being as green as it has ever been, McCullum sees no choice other than to bowl first.
“If the coin falls the right way then we’ll get first use of it,” he said of Wednesday’s all-important toss.
“I’m confident our bowlers will bowl that natural fuller length and hopefully we’ll present a tough challenge to the West Indies batsmen.”
New Zealand were left frustrated in Dunedin, where they outplayed the West Indies for the first three days before letting them off the hook as their bowlers tired and the Test ended in a draw after rain on the last day Saturday.
It was a result that buoyed the tourists after New Zealand racked up 609-9 declared. The tourists were dismissed for just 213 in their first innings before compiling 507 in their second innings, with Darren Bravo making a double-century.
“We fought back really well, which was very pleasing,” West Indies coach Ottis Gibson said.
“It gives us more confidence going into the second Test and we are a more settled group. A few guys still have sniffles and colds, but we’re full of confidence from the way we fought from the second innings in Dunedin.”
Like McCullum, Gibson is also wrestling with the make-up of his bowling attack, suggesting a two-spinner option is possible as his pace options are limited.
“Shannon Gabriel did not have a good (first) Test. He did not bowl very well, but we believe in him, that’s why we picked him,” Gibson said of the back-up to bowling spearhead Tino Best.
“He’s shown he can be a quality performer, but we have to give him and Sheldon Cottrell all the support and give them the confidence they need to perform for us.”
West Indies captain Darren Sammy played a limited role as a seam bowler in the first Test because of a leg muscle injury. He will undergo a late fitness test but is expected to start.
The third and final Test starts in Hamilton on December 19.
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Sustainable Development Goals
1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
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17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
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Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
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Do your homework
Make sure that you are being offered a fair salary. There is lots of industry data available, and you can always talk to people who have come out of the organisation. Where I see people coming a cropper is where they haven’t done their homework.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
It’s quite standard to negotiate if you think an offer is on the low side. The job is unlikely to be withdrawn if you ask for money, and if that did happen I’d question whether you want to work for an employer who is so hypersensitive.
Know your worth
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Daniella Weiss and Nachala
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Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
Day 1, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Sadeera Samarawickrama set pulses racing with his strokeplay on his introduction to Test cricket. It reached a feverish peak when he stepped down the wicket and launched Yasir Shah, who many regard as the world’s leading spinner, back over his head for six. No matter that he was out soon after: it felt as though the future had arrived.
Stat of the day - 5 The last time Sri Lanka played a Test in Dubai – they won here in 2013 – they had four players in their XI who were known as wicketkeepers. This time they have gone one better. Each of Dinesh Chandimal, Kaushal Silva, Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, and Niroshan Dickwella – the nominated gloveman here – can keep wicket.
The verdict Sri Lanka want to make history by becoming the first team to beat Pakistan in a full Test series in the UAE. They could not have made a better start, first by winning the toss, then by scoring freely on an easy-paced pitch. The fact Yasir Shah found some turn on Day 1, too, will have interested their own spin bowlers.
