Tim Southee achieves a first for an overseas bowler in Kanpur after 42 years

Tim Southee became the first overseas bowler to take a five-wicket haul in Kanpur since 1979, with the last being Pakistan’s Sikandar Bakht and Ehteshamuddin.

Tim Southee . (Image credit: Twitter)
By Siddharth vishwanathan | Nov 26, 2021 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Tim Southee created a rare slice of history on Friday during the first Test against India in Kanpur. The New Zealand pace ace bowled brilliantly and took his 13th five-wicket haul in Tests. It was the second time he had taken a five-wicket haul in India, with his previous best being 7/64 in 2012 in Bangalore. But, his five-wicket haul in Kanpur created history after 42 years.

Southee became the first overseas pace bowler to take a five-wicket haul in Green Park, Kanpur after 42 years. The previous bowler to have achieved this feat was Pakistan pacer Sikandar Bakht in 1979. During the Kanpur Test that year, Bakht ended with figures of 5/56. Curiously, in that same match, pacer Ehteshamuddin also took five wickets, ending with 5/47. That match ended in a draw.

Kanpur traditionally has been a spinners paradise but pacers have had success. Wes Hall of the West Indies took 6/50 in 1958 to help his side win by 203 runs. Alan Davidson of Australia took 12 wickets in 1959 but Australia still lost the Test to India by 119 runs.

Tim Southee puts on a show

Southee put on an exhibition of bowling on day 2 of the Kanpur Test as the lower-middle order collapsed. Initially, there was some fitness issues around Southee. On day 1, he did not bowl for the majority of the day as he suffered from some discomfort in his leg. But, on day 2, Southee bowled a long spell that dispelled any doubts.

In the second over of the day, Southee got a ball to curve back in from around the wicket to Ravindra Jadeja. The left-hander stabbed at the ball and dragged the ball back onto the stumps. Probing around the channel outside off and getting some swing, Southee was simply unplayable. The right-hander conceded his first runs after four overs.

Southee struck again as he removed Wriddhiman Saha with a full ball that straightened outside off stump. However, his biggest moment came in the 97th over of the innings as he removed centurion Shreyas Iyer who was also making his debut. Iyer drove a full ball to cover as he fell for 105. Southee completed his five-wicket haul as he got Axar Patel with a delivery that again straightened outside off as the batsman edged to the keeper.

Southee once again rescues New Zealand

Southee has bowled 11 overs on the trot in the first session as the lower middle order were simply blown away. However, Ravichandran Ashwin hung in and has ensured India has gone past 300. Ashwin is also nearing his fifty and India are on the cusp of reaching 350. With the ball keeping low and with spin also getting prominence, New Zealand will have their hands full.

This is the fourth time that New Zealand is playing a Test match in Kanpur. In the previous three instances, New Zealand has drawn once and lost two times. The first time New Zealand played a Test in Kanpur was in 1976 as they drew the Test there. During the 1999 series, New Zealand lost by eight wickets. The 2016 Test was the 500th Test match for India and they went on to win the match by 197 runs. It was the start of a dominant summer of 2016/17 in which India won series against New Zealand, England, Bangladesh, and Australia.

But, in the absence of his new-ball partner Trent Boult, Southee has once again stepped up to be the leader of the attack. One would be hoping that the batsmen now step up and ensure his efforts do not go to waste.





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