NZ ponder bowling line-up for second Test

The Black Caps will look at the Hamilton pitch before deciding whether to take an unchanged line-up into the second Test against Sri Lanka.

New Zealand bowling coach Dimitri Mascarenhas believes the Black Caps' selection mix was right for their 122-run over Sri Lanka in the first Test in Dunedin.

Whether the same 11 take part in the second and final Test beginning on Friday in Hamilton will depend on what skipper Brendon McCullum and coach Mike Hesson make of the pitch.

Mascarenhas is an advocate of a horses-for-courses approach.

"From my point of view, you pick the best team that is going to win in those conditions," he said on Wednesday.

Hamilton's Seddon Park venue has a reputation for being spin-friendly, which could mean a recall for Mark Craig to add to the slow-bowling option provided by allrounder Mitchell Santer.

That would have Neil Wagner and Doug Bracewell vying for the third seamer's spot.

Wagner showed characteristic energy in Dunedin as he returned match figures of 5-143.

"Wags, you know what you are going to get - he's going to run in and give 110 per cent," Mascarenhas said.

"He started off a bit nervy, but he got it together."

Bracewell closed out the match with a caught-and-bowled to come away with 1-88, but he was unlucky to have two chances put down and was also the most economical of the four pacemen used.

Mascarenhas is confident the wickets will come for Bracewell if he continues with what he's doing while adding a bit more consistent swing.

"It's all about hitting his areas as hard as he can for as long as he can and swinging it," he said.

The Black Caps' attack will go into the second Test buoyed by their performance in the opening encounter.

"The boys bowled exceptionally well on a really flat wicket and it was about time we took 20 wickets," Mascarenhas said.

"I think we just showed what we're capable of doing and now it's time to keep that consistency up and move forward."


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Source: AAP


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