New Zealand will look to post 500 plus: Guptill

HYDERABAD: New Zealand is looking at a first innings total of more than 500 runs on Saturday to exert pressure on the Indian batting line up in the second Test, said opener Martin Guptill, who hit a patient 85 on Friday.

Starting the series as rank outsiders, New Zealand 

continued to impress and finished the first day of the 

second Test at 258 for four at the Rajiv Gandhi 

International Stadium.

"I think 500 will be a good score on this wicket and we would then hope that our bowlers do the job and put pressure on India," Guptill said.

 

New Zealand were in trouble after S Sreesanth removed opener Brendon McCullum with a delivery that 

straightened on landing in the fourth over of the day.

But Guptill, along with centurion Tim McIntosh steadied the ship with a 147-run partnership for the second 

wicket and finished the day at a respectable position to ensure that India don't enjoy the upper hand.

"We were just telling each other to stay positive. That partnership really gave us the momentum, but losing 

two wickets towards the end pushed us a little back. But hopefully, we can push the Indians," he said.

Summing up the team's performance, Guptill said, "The wicket was pretty flat but I think we played pretty 

well. And the Indians were landing the ball in demanding areas."

Asked about the wicket, Guptill said, "There is something in it for everybody. It has something more than 

at least Ahmedabad."

 

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