Kiwi pacer gatecrashes selection meeting to plead for inclusion in Nagpur Test

WELLINGTON - New Zealand fast bowler Andy McKay is hopeful of getting a chance to attack the Indian batting line up in the third test at Nagpur after gate crashing a team selection meeting to personally state his case for inclusion.

With the series levelled at 0-0 after high scoring draws in Ahmedabad and Hyderabad, everything goes on the line at the 60,000-seat VCA Stadium located on the outskirts of Nagpur.

McKay is being strongly considered to replace seamer Brent Arnel, who was tidy, but unthreatening at Hyderabad, Stuff.co.nz reports.

The 30-year-old certainly liked the VCA Stadium pitch when the tourists trained at the venue before a heavy shower forced the Indians to cancel their own session.

“Reverse swing has not been a factor in the first two tests because the surfaces have held together so well. But the pitch here looks drier so theoretically it should reverse,” he said.

The Nagpur ground has hosted just two tests, the last of them in February when South African fast bowler Dale Steyn took 10 wickets.

“I am hoping the call up comes and I just have to do everything I can to get into the side. Being able to do 15 overs a day and 40 a week at least throws my hat into the ring,” McKay said.

Like his teammates, McKay also understands the key to getting on top of the Indian batsmen is to maintain tight control on the lines bowled. (ANI)