The ability to adapt quickly to unfamiliar conditions was crucial to New Zealands victory in the first Test over Zimbabwe, according to coach Mike Hesson. He praised Neil Wagner and BJ Watling for assessing the Bulawayo surface, which did not offer much pace or bounce but grew abrasive as the game went on, and working out how to succeed on it.Wagners career-best 6 for 41 was headlined by his short-ball barrage, an unusual sight at Queens, where most seamers stick to simple plans and wait for a mistake. But Wagner bent his back and attacked Zimbabwes line-up in the first innings and the early parts of the second, before adjusting his strategy and searching for reverse-swing as the ball aged.Although his second-innings returns were a third of his first innings, it showed his dual use as a wicket-taker, with both new and old ball, something that has come with being more certain of his game.When he came up three or four years ago he was excited and keen to make an impression. He probably didnt stick to his gameplan for too long but hes a lot more experienced now and hes certainly got the confidence of the captain, Hesson said. Hes able to change his game, as we saw. He can swing the new ball if hes given it. He can certainly reverse the old one and we know he can bowl bumpers. Especially on unresponsive surfaces, hes a good bowler.Equally good but less celebrated was Watling, whose century did not get the same attention as Tom Lathams or Ross Taylors, perhaps because it came after theirs. Watlings was the fastest of the three hundreds and ensured the game did not drift at a time when Zimbabwes wearing bowlers were focused on containing. Watling tired them out even more, pierced the gaps and rotated strike with intent.He is incredibly perceptive. He is one of the few players that can adapt technique mid-game, Hesson said. He makes subtle changes to his grip. He is a very talented and very hard-working cricketer.Some conversations around the match spoke of Watling being the best wicket-keeper batsman in Test cricket at the moment, a label Hesson would not mind endorsing. His keeping in very tough conditions, in the subcontinent, in England, has been exceptional for us. He often bats with the tail and he has an ability to eke out as many runs as possible. Were not going to trade him for anyone, Hesson said.Overall, Hesson assessed New Zealands performance as very thorough, with both batsmen and bowlers executing the patience plan as intended. We talked about playing the long game. We did that. We also showed how important the new ball was. We can be a little bit impatient with the ball at times but I am clutching to find some work-ons. Before hand, we said 20 wickets would be tough to take so were pleased that we did it.New Zealand will have Monday off before spending a night at Heath Streaks farm outside Bulawayo and will then return to training on Thursday in preparation for the second Test which starts on Saturday. Doubtless, they will be eyeing a clean sweep in Zimbabwe before moving on to South Africa, where they will face a tougher challenge in their bid to keep climbing the rankings.These two series are a chance for us as a group to gain some of the ground that we lost a few months ago against Australia, Hesson said. We had gone eight series without a loss before we faced them at home and away. Before that, we had gained a lot of ground and then we lost some. Custom Wild T-shirts . Now, with Game 6 set for Fenway Park and an 8:07 p.m. ET first pitch, the Detroit Tigers face the unenviable task of having to beat the Boston Red Sox twice, on the road, to advance to the World Series. Custom Wild Jerseys . 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INDIANAPOLIS -- As Penn States band played and Lucas Oil Stadium rocked, thousands of fans clad in their traditional white shirts chanted We Are Penn State.It might have been more fitting if had it been We are Penn State -- and we are back.Five years after a child sex abuse scandal tainted the reputation of the school and its football program along with the legacy of late coach Joe Paterno, quarterback Trace McSorley put the Nittany Lions squarely back in the national spotlight Saturday night with an epic 38-31 come-from-behind victory over No. 6 Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship game. It was the largest comeback in the six-year history of the game.Before coach James Franklin left the field, he was already lobbying the playoff committee to put No. 8 Penn State in the final four.What I do know is that we just won the toughest conference in college football, he said. Weve won nine straight. They say youre allowed to overcome minor setbacks. Weve done that. Its up to you, committee.The Nittany Lions resume is impressive.Since rebounding from a 39-point thumping against Michigan on Sept. 24, Penn State (11-2, No. 7 CFP) has won every game, handed No. 2 Ohio State its only loss of the season and on Saturday rallied from a 21-point first-half deficit to end the Badgers six-game winning streak. Penn State also finished as co-champs of the Big Ten East, a division many considered the toughest in the nation, and now has its first conference crown in eight years.Many, including die-hard Penn State fans, wonder whether that will be enough to jump up three spots in the committees rankings. Some fans even held signs that read we smell roses.While McSorley, who was named the games MVP after a record-breaking performance, has even higher hopes, hes content to let his coach lobby for a playoff spot.Coach said what he needed to say, Im going to enjoy this moment with my teammates, McSorley said before leaving the stage on the field.It was certainly a moment worth savoring.McSorley finished 22 of 31 for 384 yards with four TD passes, breaking the title game records for yards and TD passes. He also broke the schools single-season records for yards passing and touchdown passes.And McSorley wasnt the only one putting on a show. Saeed Blacknall caught six passes, two for touchdowns, and finished with a championship-game record 155 yards. DaeSean Hamilton caught eight passes for 118 yards, most in the second half when the Nittany Lions repeatedly burned the nations No. 3 defense with deep throws.What was most imppressive was how they won it.ddddddddddddenn State trailed 28-7 with 5:15 left in the first half. Thats when McSorley and the Nittany Lions offense finally got in sync by scoring touchdowns on each of their next four possessions -- the last an 18-yard TD pass to Saquon Barkley with 13:41 left in the game. The Nittany Lions never trailed again.They made some plays down the field and we didnt make enough to make McSorley feel uncomfortable, Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst said.Wisconsin (10-3, No. 6 CFP) played without starting quarterback Alex Hornibrook but jumped to the big lead behind Corey Clement, who ran 21 times for 164 yards including a 67-yard TD run in the first quarter.But the Badgers usually stout defense allowed a season-high point total.Wisconsins final chance ended when Clement was stopped short of a first down on fourth-and-1 from the Penn State 24-yard line with 1:01 to go.THE TAKEAWAYPenn State: Consider the turnaround is complete. Five years after the Jerry Sandusky scandal tainted the program and the late Joe Paternos legacy, and the ensuing NCAA sanctions seemed to put the Nittany Lions on the fast track to nowhere, they are Big Ten champs and look like a real national championship contender.Wisconsin: After winning their first two title game appearances, the Badgers have now lost their two -- in shocking fashion. Coach Paul Chryst never could have expected this from a defense that hadnt allowed more than 30 points all season and had only allowed No. 2 Ohio State to gain more than 400 yards in a game this year.POLL IMPLICATIONSPenn State: Coach James Franklin insisted all week that his team was focused more on winning a Big Ten title. Now, the lobbying can begin -- if Franklin wants to. The argument goes like this: Co-champs of the toughest division in college football, championship game winners of the best conference in football and the only team to beat No. 2 Ohio State. Will it be enough?Wisconsin: In the first half, the Badgers looked like they would be making their case to the committee. Instead, the Badgers have no idea what will happen next.UP NEXTPenn State: Will eagerly wait to see who is next on the schedule.Wisconsin: Will wait to see who the Badgers will get in the postseason, one that could have been much more interesting had they protected their lead.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 ' ' '