On October 16, India will play New Zealand in the first Test match in Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium. According to Brad Hogg, a former spinner for Australia, India will completely control the series before it starts. For those who are unaware, New Zealand recently suffered a series defeat when they were defeated 2-0 by Sri Lanka in the Test series.
The last time India and New Zealand met in a Test match was in Bengaluru in 2012. After a 12-year absence, both teams will return to the legendary venue for Test matches. India completed the series with a five-wicket victory in their most recent encounter in Bengaluru. Hogg said the Kiwis’ recent defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka would make it impossible for them to overcome the India scare.
“Given their performance in Sri Lanka, I doubt that New Zealand could make a significant improvement in their batting against spin. Hogg stated on his YouTube channel that India would comfortably win the Test series there.
O’Rourke isn’t attempting to bowl at a high speed: Brad Hogg.
With Tim Southee as their lone greyhead, New Zealand will go into the match lacking experience in the pace bowling unit. Although William O’Rourke performed admirably against Sri Lanka, Hogg believed the young player was not expressing who he really was. Ben Sears, their other pace option, has been sidelined for the series due to injury, while Jacob Duffy has been added to the team.
William O’Rourke is a fast bowler who doesn’t try to bowl with speed; instead, he bowls ball after ball. He has a huge heart and doesn’t give up.
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“I hope Ben Sears gets a chance because he is a tall, quick bowler and I think he can add a little bit of variety against India just with the extra height, hopefully getting a little bit of extra bounce there,” he continued.