NZ-Pak: New ball will be key, says NZ's Arnel
Hamilton: The second new ball should help New Zealand's bowlers as they attempt to make in roads into Pakistan's batting order on the third day of the first test, according to pace bowler Brent Arnel.
Pakistan ended the second day at Seddon Park in a strong position at 235 for four, with Asad Shafiq on 74 and captain Misbah-ul-haq on 50.
The visitors had exploited a relatively new ball and some overnight moisture on the pitch earlier on Saturday to bowl New Zealand out for 275, an addition of just 15 runs to their overnight score of 260 for seven.
New Zealand will have the option to take the second new ball first thing on Sunday, having bowled 80 overs on Saturday, and Arnel was adamant it should provide Chris Martin, Tim Southee and himself with some added pace and bounce.
"You will find that any pitch, first thing in the morning is a bit fresher and will have that little bit more zip and you'll see that tomorrow," Arnel told reporters.
"We are in a position now with the new ball coming up first thing in the morning and if we can get a couple of early ones like they did this morning we can be right back into their tail.
"Then we can set up the game where they can be only 20, 30 or 50 ahead, then game on for us to bat big."
Arnel said the flat pitch was now a good batting strip.
"It looks like a generally good cricket wicket and if you work hard as a bowler you will get reward and if you work hard as a batter, as the two boys (Misbah and Shafiq) are right now, then it pays off.
"Looking at it right now its a pretty decent test wicket."
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