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NEW ZEALAND batsman Henry Nicholls said his team's batsmen needed to step up to the plate in the second Test match against West Indies with their regular captain and leading batsman Kane Williamson absent.
Williamson is missing the second Test because of paternity leave. Williamson struck 251 in the first Test – his highest score at Test level. The innings led New Zealand to victory by an innings and 134 runs at Seddon Park, Hamilton.
Nicholls told the media after the opening day of the second Test, at Basin Reserve, Wellington on Friday that the team tried to avoid a drop in their standard of batting.
“I was looking forward for the opportunity. It is always nice coming to play at the Basin…obviously without Kane I just knew it was important for the rest of the group to stand up.”
Batting first, New Zealand closed day one on 294/6 with Nicholls cracking 117 not out.
Nicholls said New Zealand will try to bat as long as possible on day two on Saturday to post a massive total.
Nicholls said 400 is on the radar. “Yeah it will be a really good result…that first hour tomorrow (Saturday) will be really important batting with Kyle (Jamieson) and Timmy (Tim Southee) and the other bowlers to come. (It) is going to be important I guess that we are able to take things a bit longer. Make their seamers come back certainly after their first spells.”
On ending the day unbeaten, Nicholls said, “It was probably the most important thing for me was getting through to stumps and just try and get through there (and) work through partnerships in that last session. Obviously (with) Daryl (Mitchell) and then obviously nice to see Kyle there at the end.”
West Indies could have been in a stronger position, but the fielders let New Zealand off the hook as three catches were put down. Darren Bravo was the main culprit dropping Nicholls twice at first slip.
West Indies Test debutant Joshua Da Silva said the team must move on from the missed chances.
“That’s how it goes. It is always frustrating when you drop catches, but we have to just look forward to the next one. We can’t do anything about it now, so we just have to move on to the next day and try and get them again.”
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