Mumbai ended their second day at 431 for 5 against New Zealand in a warm-up match. Doug Bracewell, Kiwi all-rounder admitted that they are under pressure, but New Zealand can manage and will play better cricket tomorrow. New Zealand declared their innings at 324 for seven on the opening day.
“They played pretty well. We spoke about being patient and playing the long game out there. To be fair, they put us under a bit of pressure and played pretty well…credit to them. We look at the positives and got another day tomorrow as well,” said Bracewell.
It was ver tough for New Zealand’s bowlers especially the spinners, who failed to get much out of the surface. “The surface did not break up and turn that much. We are not really concerned at this stage. Like I said they played well. I definitely think our guys will take some learning out from today,” he said .
The conditions are expected to be different in Kanpur, in comparison to the warm-up tie here, but Bracewell insisted that practice games are important anyway. “We were definitely expecting it. We know it is going to be a different surface for the first Test. You just got to get on with it. With whatever conditions there are, you roll on. It is great especially when there is a short turnaround for the first Test,” he said.
“It is a difficult surface for quicks. There is not much pace and bounce. You have got to try something different like bowling an odd bouncer,” Bracewell added.
Mumbai coach Chandrakant Pandit was happy with the team’s performance. “It would have been nice if Rohit got a hundred too. But it was a good batting performance. In a way, I would like to think that we have helped the Indian team (by playing New Zealand’s bowling well). As far as declaration goes, we are yet to decide on that,” said Pandit.