New Zealand vs India: Trent Boult comes up with a bizarre defence against Yuzvendra Chahal

The bizarre action from the batsman made the commentators liken him to the flamingo bird.

Published - 23 Jan 2019, 20:46 IST | Updated - 23 Jan 2019, 20:46 IST

View : 3K

2 Min Read

India could not have asked for a better start to their to tour of New Zealand as they demolished the in-form hosts by 8 wickets in the first game at McLean Park in Napier on Wednesday to go 1-0 up in the five-ODI series. The match never promised to be an engaging one as the Black Caps got bundled for a paltry score of 157 which was never going to challenge a powerful Indian line-up. The visitors overhauled the target in less than 35 overs losing just two wickets.

There was nothing much to write home about the Kiwis’ batting except a polished 64 off 81 from captain Kane Williamson who won the toss and elected to bat. The Indian bowlers, on the other hand, produced one of their most clinical shows to bowl the hosts for a modest target and Kuldeep Yadav (4 for 39) and Mohammed Shami (3 for 19) were the pick of the bowlers. Shami, who became the fastest Indian bowler to complete 100 ODI wickets, was adjudged the man of the match.

Boult’s flamingo-like movement to defend

Yuzvendra Chahal, who destroyed Australia with a six-for in the last game for India in Melbourne, chipped into the party in Napier with two crucial wickets – of that of Ross Taylor and Tom Latham – and it was in his final over when a funny incident happened. It was tail-ender Trent Boult who was batting with his new ball partner Tim Southee with nine wickets down for 149. Chahal bowled the second delivery of the over and the spectators were amused to see the way Boult negotiated with it.

First, the batsman danced down the pitch to hit big and as the bowler released the ball quicker and pulled the length back, Boult shifted to reverse gear that faster and defended the ball just in time with his back leg still floating in the air. The bizarre action from the batsman made the commentators liken him to the flamingo bird. Boult didn’t last too long after that and was picked by Yadav as the last Kiwi wicket fell for 157 in just 38 overs.

For India, opener Shikhar Dhawan remained unbeaten on 75 while captain Virat Kohli scored 45 and the duo added a decisive 91 run for the second wicket to ensure that the Black Caps never came back into the game. The second game will be played at the Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui on January 26.