Full credits to Indian bowlers: Kane Williamson

Ishant Sharma (L) of India celebrates Kane Williamson of New Zealand being caught but is given not out during the 2nd International Test cricket match between New Zealand and India in Wellington at the Basin Reserve on February 14, 2014.

New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson was lavish in his praise on the Indian bowlers, who bowled out New Zealand for 192 in the first innings of second Test match at Basin Reserve, Wellington. Ishant Sharma, in particular, was very impressive, picking up 6 wickets for 51 runs. Mohammed Shami accounted for the remaining 4 wickets.

Speaking in the press conference at the end of the day 1, Williamson said: “They bowled very well. They sort of picked up from where they left off in Auckland (in first Test). Credit goes to their bowling attack. The Basin Reserve pitch was a tough one to bat on but gave the credit to the Indian bowlers for exploiting the conditions well.”

He added: “Looking at the pitch, we expected it to be tough. We played on a green one here before against the West Indies (in December), but they did not bowl as well as this Indian side. They bowled very short. It is hard to compare but yes, it was tough out there and the nature of the surface, the quality of bowling was much tougher. It was a good challenge for our batting unit and we will have to try and apply that same pressure with the ball on Saturday.”

On Brendon McCullum‘s poor luck with the toss, he said, “That would have been a nice toss to win. But it’s been uncanny, not one toss the whole series is just ridiculous.”

He concluded by saying: “It was definitely a good challenge batting first on that pitch and it was nice to scrape together a bit of a scrappy total. On Saturday, we will have to bowl a bit better. Naturally, there is probably less and less swing as the game develops but there is still plenty there. We showed that the ball is still swinging even after 28 overs. There is still that threat there if the boys can put it in the right areas for long enough.”

In reply, India have done extremely well to end the day on 100/2 with Shikhar Dhawan (71*) and night-watchman Ishant Sharma (3*) at the crease.