Southee praises bowling unit for strong showing

New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee said he had the aid of the wind at Seddon Park, as well as the support of his seam-bowling compatriots, as he claimed 6 for 80 in the first innings – his best-ever figures at home. Southee’s performance helped the hosts dismiss Pakistan for 216 and take a lead of 55 on the third day in Hamilton.

Southee is familiar with Seddon Park, which is the home ground for his Northern Districts domestic team for whom he had taken a first-class five-wicket haul at the venue in early November. The wind that blows in from the North-West has also been a near-constant presence in the first three days of the Test. It helped Southee take balls away from right-hand batsmen, particularly early in Pakistan’s innings.

“I play a lot here, and it’s always nice because it’s one of the few grounds in the world where the wind actually assists a right-arm outswing bowler,” Southee said. “It was nice to pick up wickets, but it’s just good to contribute to the bowling performance. Bowling second on that pitch and taking a 55-run lead into the second innings just shows how well we did as a bowling group. Matt Henry didn’t get a wicket but I think he …

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