Pune: New Zealand captain Tom Latham on Wednesday said New Zealand will have to avoid any preconceived notions about the spin-friendly pitch in the second Test against India and focus on making effective use of their bowling options. New Zealand has taken a significant 1-0 lead in the three-match series after winning the opening Test played in Bengaluru by eight wickets. New Zealand bowled out the Indian team for 46 runs in the first innings in the Bengaluru Test. India showed strong spirit in the second innings but the team failed to stop New Zealand from registering victory on Indian soil for the first time in 36 years. Latham said before the second Test match, ‘We have to adjust to the circumstances quickly. If the pitch gives more turn to the ball then we have four spinners in our team. However, we would like to avoid entering the match with a predetermined mindset.
Latham admitted that he had considered how to use the spinners. New Zealand has experienced spinners like Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel, while Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips also have the ability to bowl makeshift spin. “I’ve obviously thought a little bit about what that might look like,” he said. He said, ‘We will first try to get some information here. Hopefully the pitch will be like our practice pitches.
Latham said New Zealand would not be complacent about the achievement of the Bengaluru Test ending a 36-year wait for victory in India. He said, ‘That victory is very special. It’s special to see myself in the same list as captains like Graham Dolling and John Wright. For me, however, this was a victory achieved by a team effort. Latham said, ‘We celebrated it but soon our attention turned to the next match. We are avoiding getting complacent about last week’s accomplishments. We are moving forward with confidence from that win and hopefully we will do well in this match.
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He said, ‘The biggest thing about that win is that we have confidence that we can come here and perform well.’ Latham said Rachin showed a great balance of attack and defense while batting during his innings of 134 runs in Bengaluru. He said, ‘The way he played throughout the innings was excellent. He made some great partnerships. The way he played was really important. Latham said that veteran Kane Williamson, who was out of the team in the first two Tests due to injury, is in touch with doctors to return to the team for the third Test match to be played in Mumbai.