India tour of NZ, Jan 24 - March 4

[backfootpunch]

That was coming

Prithvi shaw was playing a shot at practically every ball

[Red Devil]

That was coming

Prithvi shaw was playing a shot at practically every ball

yep, hence why Shubman would have been a better option

Pujara just got a snorter though, and Ind are 35/2

[backfootpunch]

Shaw and pujara both got very good balls

Kohli however should not have been playing at that

Was miles outside off

Was bound to happen with cricinfo running a feature about how kohli had tightened up outside off

[sussexpob]

Hard to be critical of the India top order, it was a tough morning to bat. With overcast skies and a green pitch, the bowlers didnt really struggle to find movement on off to challenge the batsman, and the ball wasnt really coming onto the bat in a consistent way. Some balls got big on the batsman out of nowhere, others hit the pitch and die a little, so its really difficult to judge your timing to get into strokes. A couple of shorter balls for instance beat the bat with a surprising amount of pace coming off the wicket (I think it was Shaw who tried to play a cut shot and ended up wildly hacking at one that bounced a lot higher than a previous ball), then not long after you see a batsman top edging one because he's into the stroke way too early after the ball almost stops when it bounces.

The wind also played its part. Most balls swung in from the hand as normal, but every now and then the ball got hit by the breeze, and it creates a lethal type of late swing where the wind gust holds the swing momentarily, before the ball eventually moves in late at the last moment. Combined with the ball seaming enough, I think the Indians were guessing a lot.

I've seen criticism of Shaw being squared up by a half volley, but I to me that ball was verging on unplayable, and flat out unplayable when you think of how the ball had behaved before it. Its easy to say he didnt get forward, but had he took a stride in on that line on 95% of balls in the innings, he'd get wrapped on the pad as the late swing and seam beats him. With that ball, it swings in and seams away, I'd like to have seen the very best batters in history getting bat on it. Same with Pujara, ball comes in, bounces a lot more than other balls, cuts away. Tip your hat to the bowler, nothing you can do about that.

[sussexpob]

On a separate note, its interesting that in a decade and 13 different tests on this pitch, when a result has been produced (not much over half) the lowest score ae winning team posted was 430, bar one exception in 2017 involving South Africa in a game where spinners took all the wickets. The average score on this ground is massively above average, and when you remove the bottom teams like Windies who average half of what others managed in games where NZ posted 550s declared, all the major sides are comfortably scoring in the region of 30% plus more runs on this deck than others. Australia have played here 3 times and average 75 per wicket, India and England average innings scores in excess of 400.

Isnt it amazing how this current India side seem to turn tracks that have been deserts for years into Oasis? Its almost like home boards are dialing in these terribly one=sided pitches on purpose. And we wonder why teams struggle so much away, or why Indian batsman struggle so much. Isnt it because everywhere they go, bar probably Australia because green tops are kryptonite to modern Aussie batters more than any, they get pitches that do everything? Its not good for test cricket to produce pitches designed specifically for the away team to struggle, the culture needs to change for the good of the game.

[Red Devil]

The first half hour today has been a disaster for India, a mix up sees off Pant and then Ashwin cleaned up first ball before Rahane fails to leave properly. No batting left and conditions improving gor batting just when Ind will have to bowl.

Going to be very tough to get anything out of this game for India from here

[Arthur Crabtree]

Might be tough to get wickets in the second half of the game though. Remember McCullum's 302 in the second innings there in nine hours.

Well done to Jamieson for four wickets on debut.

[mikesiva]

India 165 all out

Rahane 46

Jamieson 4-39
Southee 4-49

[Arthur Crabtree]

Can't really say NZ have seized the game here.

[yuppie]

Late wickets for India have got them back into it.

NZ batting last, so they will need another 100 runs.

Burmah sounds like he struggled with his length. I'm sure once he rectify s that he will be causing a lot more problems. India very much in this still

[mikesiva]

Jamieson and de Grand home put on 71.

[Arthur Crabtree]

NZ really took control last night. If this is a typical NZ pitch though and it's now very flat, India may be able to hold out for some time. Good to see Boult back in the wickets.

[alfie]

Pitch is indeed flattening out a bit...but still enough there on day three for the pace bowlers to bounce out good players...Boult's effort to remove three of the Indian top four has put his team in a strong position.
Still some batting to come for India but hard to see them getting the two hundred plus lead they'd need to have any hope of turning the tables , surely ?

[alfie]

No problem for NZ - didn't even need a super over ... ten wicket win.

Seems it is not just England who have trouble in these parts...

[Arthur Crabtree]

The old hands do it for NZ, Southee and Boult.

Great win against the runaway number one side. Kiwis are back.