First Test, Day Five, Kanpur
The BLACKCAPS went down fighting on the final day in Kanpur.
Resuming at 93 for 4, Luke Ronchi and Mitchell Santner defiantly saw off the first hour of the day, adding 61 runs without loss and raising their own 100 run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Ronchi's pure ball striking was once again on show for all to see and he looked to be charging to a maiden Test century before he top edged Ravindra Jadeja to depart for 80.
From there wickets fell either side of lunch as Santner completed his first Test fifty, but he would be undone by a fifth day special from Ravi Ashwin. The ball pitching way outside leg and spinning across the left hander, taking the edge on the way to gully.
The resistance would end not long after on 236, 197 runs short of the world record target.
Day Four
In Short
Luke Ronchi and Mitchell Santner carry the BLACKCAPS hopes into the final day of the first Test, after surviving to stumps on day four at 93/4, still requiring another 341 runs for victory.
Earlier in the day Santner and his fellow spinners did a good job of restricting India's batsmen and claimed three wickets in the first session.
After lunch Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja lifted the tempo, allowing for an Indian declaration at tea on 377 for five, setting the BLACKCAPS a world record 434 runs for victory.
Numbers
1 higher target set by India in Tests against NZ than the 434 in this match. India had set 617 in Wellington in 2008-09.
3 catches in the match for Ish Sodhi
4 sessions in total the BLACKCAPS will have to bat to save this Test
5 wickets in the match for Mitchell Santner
37 Tests for Indian spinner Ravi Ashwin to reach 200 wickets, the second fastest ever.
56 ball for Jadejya and Sharm's 50 run sixth wicket partnership
434 the target to win the match for the BLACKCAPS
With the bat
There was much lovely play by the Indian batsmen on day four but this is our website and we’ll highlight some more Kane Williamson stroke play. His high elbow was working overdrive in the final session. Front foot and back foot it was a joy to watch. Copybook teckers from our little master.
With the ball
Sodhi’s ball to knick off the dangerous Ajinkya Rahane was Warne-esque. Around the wicket, pitching outside leg, violently spinning around the helpers right hander. Pretty much spun it straight into Ross Taylor’s hands. Beautiful to watch.
In the field
Taylor was all class at first slip on day four claiming three catches off the spinners. All three were down low and could have easily been dropped. Sodhi’s above dismissal of Rahane was a great grab. Taylor barely sighted the ball until it was a mere foot or two from his hands. Waiting for a declaration is the hardest time to be in the field and concentration in the heat can be tough. Not for Taylor.
Why Test cricket isn’t boring
Despite all the odds being against the BLACKCAPS on day five. There is still hope. There is always hope! Three sessions, 90 overs, 540 balls! Our two best batsmen in the middle.
It’s India
A humungous beatle/cockroach thing was found out the back of the media box today - take a look!
Quote
“If you get a good partnership going you can score at a decent rate and more importantly bat for time.” - Bowling coach Shane Jurgensen.
Day Three
India’s much vaunted spin attack showed their class on day three of the opening Test in Kanpur, helping dismiss the BLACKCAPS after lunch for 262, giving the hosts a 56 run first innings lead.
Ravi Ashwin claimed the big wickets of Latham (58) and then Williamson for 75, while his partner in crime Ravindra Jadeja ripped through the middle order, claiming three wickets in one over to finish with 5 for 73.
The Indian batsmen drove home their advantage in the afternoon, reaching stumps at 159-1, a lead of 215 runs.
Scorecard
Numbers
7 runs scored for the BLACKCAPS final five wickets
15.60 Test bowling average for Jadeja when playing at home
86.20 Kane Williamson’s batting average since taking over as captain
143 cracks counted in the pitch at lunch
With the bat
Indian opener KT Rahul came out of the blocks fast in the second innings and his 38 took the sting out of the BLACKCAPS at the top. His positive play was continued on by Cheteshwar Pujara as the hosts seized control of the match late on day three.
With the ball
Ravindra Jadeja broke New Zealand hearts on day three. His second ball dismissal of Ross Taylor and three wickets over after lunch broke the back of what had been a promising BLACKCAPS first innings. Always accurate, always threatening - an absolute menace in his own conditions. Deserved to finish with 5 for 73.
In the field
Ross Taylor’s catch to dismiss Rahul was a very tidy piece of work. The late cut gave him little time to react, but he picked it up delicately before the turf. Classy slipping that.
Why Test cricket isn’t boring
No wickets in a session of cricket then four wickets in two overs. This match tuned on it’s head faster than an Ashwin off break. Two and a half days of punch and counter punch and all of a sudden the BLACKCAPS were put on the ropes in the space of Test cricket. Fascinating to watch if not a little painful from a Kiwi perspective!
It’s India
A BLACKCAPS support staff vehicle was stalled on the way to the ground on day three as four cows were grazed in the middle of a roundabout.
Quote
We’ve got a bunch of fighters and we know we’re under pressure so we’ve just got to find away to turn it around.” - BJ Watling post day three.
Before lunch
After three wickets for 11 runs, Luke Ronchi took up the attack to India with an aggressive 38 which featured six boundaries.
Once he departed Santner took over, leading the BLACKCAPS to lunch undefeated on 28 with keeper BJ Watling alongside on 3*.
Day Two
India 318 (Murali Vijay 65, Cheteshwar Pujara 62, Trent Boult 3-67)
Captain Kane Williamson (65*) and opener Tom Latham (56*) put on an unbeaten 117 run second wicket partnership on day two of the opening Test in Kanpur, before a heavy afternoon shower brought play to an early finish.
Neil Wagner finished off the Indian innings for 318 earlier on the second morning, allowing the Kiwi batsmen to get into their work and add 71 for one by lunch.
After the break Williamson and Latham kept the scoreboard moving and nullified the much vaunted Indian spin threat through a combination of precise footwork and the use of the sweep shot.
The pair added 80 runs for no wicket in the second session and walked off for tea as the heavens opened, with play eventually abandoned around 4 o’clock.
Numbers
6 century stands between Williamson and Latham in just 24 innings in Test cricket
15 minutes earlier start time for day three to make up some time
23 Test half centuries for Kane Williamosn
47 runs for Latham when he survived a catch in close after the ball touched the fielders helmet during the catch
Blood, sweat and tears
The Williamson-Latham partnership was Test match batting at it’s finest. They defended expertly and ticked the strike over, while pouncing on any freebies. They didn’t have it all their own way with the older ball beginning reverse and turn sharply. A masterclass.
With the bat
From the moment Kane Williamson began his innings his stroke play was a standout. The way he effortlessly pressed forward and back to the spinners was a lesson in how to play on a turning track. He played all the shots to both spin and pace making it hard to choose just one, but perhaps his straight drive for four off Mohammed Shami lingers longest in the memory.
With the ball
After an uncharacteristic off key opening spell, Ravi Ashwin returned with the older ball to bowl some absolute peaches to the right hander Williamson. One in particularly viciously spun back off a length and clocked Kane right on the helmet, throwing his material neck brace from the helmet and onto the stumps … fortunately the bails stayed on.
In the field
A first for this cricket watcher! Latham appeared to be the unlucky recipient of a catch in close after he swept a ball onto his shoe and into the bat pads hands. Replays confirmed this, but also found contact between the ball and the catches helmet strap when he regathered the initially fumbled catch. A touch of fortune.
Why Test cricket isn’t boring
More games within games. Batsmen v bowlers. Punch and counterpunch. Plans, theories, strategies. Test cricket as it should be.
It’s India
Having never removed an entire ground of wet weather covers one should not poke fun…. But the sight of 50 or so groundstaff/extras scampering around/playing in the water on the covers was quit a comical site. Hoping the ground is dry tomorrow of course!
First Test, Day One, Kanpur
India 291-9 (Murali Vijay 65, Cheteshwar Pujara 62, Trent Boult 3-57, Mitchell Santner 3-77)
Five wickets in the final hour of day one has the BLACKCAPS on par with India in the first Test in Kanpur.
After winning the toss and electing to bat in their 500th ever Test match, the hosts raced out to 154 for one with Murali Vijay (65) and Cheteshwar Pujara (62) leading the way.
The Kiwi spinners put the breaks on through the middle of the day, as three wickets fell for 81 runs in the second session.
The BLACKCAPS toiled hard all day on a dry, flat surface and were rewarded late in the piece when Mitchell Santner (3 for 77) picked up his third wicket and Trent Boult (3 for 57) claimed the final three himself to leave India 291/9 at stumps.
Numbers
1 occasion in the last 12 attempts has the visiting side bowled first and won - England 1952
2.45 was spinner Mark Craig’s economy rate from his 24 overs. Built important pressure and the lead the spin attack expertly.
3 times Neil Wagner’s dismissed Virat Kohl now. Not bad having bowled just 77 deliveries to the Indian maestro
4 straight tosses won by Virat Kohl at home
6 specialist batsmen in India’s line-up
56 of India’s 500 Tests have been played against New Zealand
186 for 8 was India’s contribution from the last two sessions
300 rupee a ticket to watch day one at Green Park in Kanpur .. that’s about 6 NZ dollars!
Blood, sweat and tears
The BLACKCAPS spin bowlers deserve huge plaudits for the way they pulled India back from their fast start and chipped away through the middle of the day. Mark Craig lead the trio admirably, going at under three an over and constantly threatening. Santner claimed the first two wickets of the day to get things going, while Sodhi accounted for Vijay and claimed two important catches.
With the bat
Having averaged over 100 in first class cricket in India so far this year, Cheteshwar Pujara was the pick of the batsmen on the opening day. He drove well and evoked memories of the great VVS Laxman with his nifty flicks to the on side. Classy bat and a nice watch.
With the ball
Top of off stump is what it’s all about for bowlers and Trent Boult illustrated the point perfectly with two absolutely corkers late in the day. Vicious swerve and some nip with the new second new ball rendered Saha and Sami no chance at keeping out Boult’s thunderbolts! Quality fast bowling at its best.
Worthy mention - Mark Craig worked Ajinkya Rahane over expertly for New Zealand’s fifth wicket. His flight and drift nagging around off stump was finally rewarded when one gripped, bounced and ballooned to Tom Latham at back pad. Superb spin bowling. Unlucky to finish with just one wicket.
In the field
Not a day for speccies so the fielding gong goes to Ish Sodhi who clung onto the all important top edge of Virat Kohli. A pretty straight forward chance, but given the situation, the heat and the batsman in question it was still a good catch.
Why Test cricket isn’t boring
Three sessions. India won the first, the second was even and the third was all the BLACKCAPS. A classic day of Test cricket with great eb and flow which made for terrific viewing. Brilliant battles within battles and honours shared at the end of it.
It’s India
The open air media press box is something to behold. A flurry of chords and fuses line the rows of seats and it’s a pure free for all to find your spot. The industrial size fans are the sizes of fridges and do a good job. It’s fair to say it’s a safe place with what seems like half the Kanpur police staff marshalled around the box … keeping an eye on the cricket when they can of course!
