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**Focus on fearsome Akhtar as second test begins **
26.12.2003
By RICHARD BOOCK
The rest of the country might still be in shock, but John Bracewell hasn’t lost any sleep over the volatile nature of his batting line-up.
New Zealand head into today’s test against Pakistan with the series still wide open, but mindful that another calamity like the one in Hamilton on Tuesday will probably cost them everything.
Having warmed the hearts of cricket lovers throughout the country after piling on a milestone-laced 563 in the first test, the New Zealanders proceeded to spontaneously combust in the second innings, slumping to 96 for eight before the weather closed in.
As if the memory is not bad enough, Bracewell’s team may also have to deal with the highly-penetrative fast bowling of Shoaib Akhtar, who withdrew from the first test squad after a mildly twinged hamstring and calf.
Whether Akhtar plays today is anyone’s guess.
Pakistan media relations do not exactly follow the same “open book” lines of New Zealand Cricket, as demonstrated during the build-up to the first test, when team officials spent much of their time telling reporters that the fast-bowler was “100 per cent.”
As it happened, he was having fitness tests morning and night and was always a doubtful starter.
Whatever the tourists’ camp might claim on this occasion, the suspicion is that Akhtar will probably be included in the team, as he said he was borderline at Hamilton anyway and was mainly worried about his ability to come back for second or third spells.
If he does play, Akhtar will complete a fearsome Pakistan bowling attack and place extra pressure on an opposition batting line-up that unravelled a lot of its knitting in Hamilton, and will be effectively starting from scratch in Wellington.
Bracewell and other senior team members are blaming the collapse in the second innings on a break in concentration, saying the weather interruptions combined with the realisation that their winning chance had vanished, had weakened their “focus.”
“Perhaps, after the focus shown on the first three days, they sub-consciously thought they had lost their chance of winning it and forgot to tune back into the game,” Bracewell said.
He said the issue had been addressed within the team, but it was important to remember that New Zealand had played impressive cricket for most of the match and shouldn’t be judged on an “hour-and-a-half session.”
"In actual fact, we dominated the game for the first three days and I was more than delighted with the way we went about our cricket.
"Our bowling disciplines were excellent and went as planned.
“We lost control at one stage when we became impatient with the ball, but came back and readjusted and, I think, dominated the match.”
New Zealand arrived in the Windy City on Christmas Eve and were not disappointed by the weather, first enduring a white-knuckled landing at Wellington Airport and then practising at the Basin Reserve in stiff northerlies.
Their initial concern was batsman Craig McMillan, who was struck a sickening blow on the side of the head during net-practice, and was still taking things slowly when the players started heading back to the team hotel.
McMillan, who was wearing a helmet, was pinned by a vicious bouncer from Wellington paceman Ian O’Brien, crashing to the deck and bringing the practice to a temporary halt.
However, the bigger concern is now all-rounder Chris Cairns, who has a stomach bug and may be forced out of the squad, something that would affect the batting order and the balance of the bowling attack.
Wellington batsman Richard Jones has been brought in on stand-by.
Meanwhile, off-spinner Paul Wiseman is the most likely candidate to carry the drinks as the pitch hasn’t provided much assistance for the slow bowlers this season.
There is the added complication of the Wellington wind.
Bracewell said a decision on who would open into the wind would be made closer to the start time.
He tended towards Jacob Oram over Cairns, with Ian Butler and Daryl Tuffey operating from the other end.
Pak take psychological edge over Kiwis
Pakistan will take a heavy psychological advantage into the second cricket Test against New Zealand starting tomorrow after wrecking the home side’s batting in the first match at Hamilton.
Mohammad Sami shook New Zealand’s self confidence when he scythed through their top and middle order, taking five for 44 before rain stalled the decline on 96 for eight. The match ended in a draw.
The imminent return of Shoaib Akhtar, who missed the Hamilton Test with a calf muscle strain, may only add to the psychological sway Pakistan hold over the Kiwis.
** Sami effect**
Akhtar, working in tandem with Sami, would be a formidable weapon for the tourists, who gained some mental leverage when they dismissed New Zealand for 73 in their last Test meeting. It was Akhtar, who took six for 11 to undid New Zealand in that match.
Sami’s performance in Hamilton was two-sided. He was a Jekyl in the first innings when he gave up 126 runs and failed to claim a wicket. He was Hyde in the second when he bowled consistently at more than 150kph, topped-out around 154kph and found a length that was almost unplayable.
He was able to reduce New Zealand to 42 for five and 52 for seven, urging it to the brink of a defeat, which seemed inconceivable when, behind century-makers Stephen Fleming and Daniel Vettori, the home side reached 563 in its first innings.
It was largely rain that denied Pakistan the time and opportunity to effect an outright win. New Zealand had gained some self-belief in compiling a first innings total which was bolstered by Fleming’s 192, Vettori’s unbeaten 137 – his maiden Test century.
That belief was unraveled in the second innings and the effects of that may be felt in the second Test at Wellington’s Basin Reserve.
Big test
It is unlikely the Basin pitch, which has been tired and flat in recent seasons, will greatly assist or encourage fast bowling. A recent first-class match on the ground, in which Fleming played, produced a hatful of runs.
New Zealand have also given some indication of their reading on the pitch by adding off-spinner Paul Wiseman to the 12 for the match, leaving out mid-order batsman Richard Jones.
If Pakistan win the toss tomorrow, as they did in Hamilton, and bowl more effectively than they did when they lacked Akhtar’s leadership, they could keep their hold on the minds of the New Zealand batsmen.
“We’ve conceded something to Sami,” Fleming said after the Hamilton Test. “If we could have kept his confidence down then they may even have considered not playing him in the second Test. Now, the first two hours in Wellington when he and perhaps Shoaib are together will be a big test for us.” (AP)
Pakistan should make 2 changes for this game.
Shoaib Malik for Razzaq
Shoaib Akhtar for Gul.
How is the forecast.
The match will start in 1 and half hour.
Meanwhile u guys are waiting for the match to start you can watch Shoaib’s interview the one he gave during first test at PakistaniMedia.com in the Exclusive section. Proudly presented by PakistaniMedia.com.
Exciting interview, Teaser, the video was buffering a little bit.
he said nutrition is the differece between india and pak bowlers, yea the hinduz dont eat meat that it.
n e 1 here broadcasting
nz batting 1st
they won the toss and elected 2 bat
shoaib is in the team, replacing gul....
Alright, Shoiab Akhtar is playing! :k:
Any body broadcasting it?
Very strong winds.
one gone... shoaib took the wicket...1/1... way to go
akthar strikes vincent gone bowled out by shoaib akhtar :)
yea baby 2st victim 9 more 2 go
*1st
is n e 1 broadcasting? plz let us kno
chalo g… baarish 
damnnnnnnnnnnnnnn