Watch: India’s demolishing of New Zealand with the ball in the second ODI couldn’t have started better with a stunning wicket maiden opening over by Mohammed Shami.
It was a forgettable outing for New Zealand, who finished on 108 all out, and were, at one point, on 15-5.
There were numerous excellent scalps from the Indian bowlers but, for the traditionalists, perhaps Mohammed Shami’s dismissal of Finn Allen with the fifth ball of the innings would appeal most.
With a hard, new white ball, and making use of the limited time it would swing, Shami set Allen up perfectly with three outswingers. Allen left the first two alone before attempting a drive at the third which resulted in no runs.
Shami might have then opted for the inswinger but instead chose to bowl a straight one, which Allen defended.
With the decisive fifth ball, Shami then brought the ball in to Allen, who attempted to shovel the ball into the leg side. Unfortunately for the New Zealander, the ball straightened ever so slightly, resulting instead in an edge which ricocheted onto the top of off stump.
It was a brilliant delivery. Allen was gone for a five-ball duck and from then on New Zealand will have known they were in for a tough day.