New Zealand Bowlers win it over Indian Batsmen
So ultimately it`s New Zealand. The
first official World Test Champions. On the decisive final day of the match, it
was kiwi bowlers who passed the ultimate test against renowned Indian batsmen. Target
of 139 to win in last innings was calmly achieved by most experienced New Zealand
batsmen Ross Taylor and ice-cool captain Kane Williamson with unbeaten
partnership of 96 runs - 140/2 in the 46th over, out of total minimum
53. Overs and time was not much of an issue on final sunny day. Barring few
hiccups that Ashwin caused them by removing both the openers by 18th
over - 44/2, New Zealand was hardly much
in a trouble, except Taylor was dropped by Pujara at 85/2 in second slip and
was also in a bit of discomfort facing
Bumrah`s short pitched deliveries.
India started the final day from
overnight 64/2, with Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara. At start for couple of
overs both appeared quite positive and playing with ease. Hardly anybody
imagined the debacle that followed. But soon New Zealand bowlers found a
probing length, especially tall Kyle Jamieson was very accurate, penetrative
and hard to get away, unplayable at times. First Jamieson removed Virat at 13,
in just 6th over of the morning - 71/3, followed by Pujara 15 in 8th.
72/4. Within 40 minutes of morning play. India just 40 ahead. Rishabh Pant
joined Rahane and started playing freely, with his usual attacking flair. Pant
got a life on 5 at 82/4. Just when
Rahane was also looking settled and growing in confidence, he got out to Boult
to quite harmless delivery outside the leg stump, which just kissed glove on
the way to wicket keeper, as Ajinkya tried to glance bit half-heartedly, lazily. Rahane
15 -109/5. Partnership of 37, which ultimately turned to be the highest of the innings.
New Zealand had broken the back of Indian batting by sending Virat, Pujara and
Rahane quite cheaply within @ 90 minutes of the final day morning, for just 45
runs addition to the overnight score. By
lunch India were reduced to 130/5.Lead 98.Pant 28, Jadeja 12 were the last hope
for India with Ashwin to follow. Post lunch New Zealand bowled with specific
plan and restrictive field placing. Keeping both the batsmen quite under
pressure and not giving any free scoring opportunities. Ultimately they removed
Jadeja on 16 - 142/6. Ashwin also tried
to counter attack from the word go, without much success. Boult removed increasingly
frustrating tied down Pant on 41 and Ashwin 7 in the same over. 156/7,156/8. Shami
swinged his bat for couple of boundaries but ultimately it was too much to
expect from him. Southee removed the last 2 wickets, finishing with 4, Boult 3
and Jamieson 2 and Wagner 1 for the innings. Kyle Jamieson who removed Virat in
both the innings , finished with match winning figures of 46-22-61-7, with economy of 1.33 in his just
his 8th test match ,bagging
the man of the match award. Indian innings was wrapped up for 170 in 70 overs
before tea. Leaving New Zealand target of 139 runs within minimum balance 53
overs to clinch the first WTC title. New Zealand openers started quite
cautiously until Ashwin broke the partnership at 33. First Latham, followed by
Conway - 44/2. Then it was all Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor show, till the
end. Excellent all round team effort and winning performance.
It was after year 2000 New Zealand has won the
ICC title, then also defeating the same opposition - India. India`s last was in
2013 under M S Dhoni. Tough achieving the no. 1 team status intermittently for
quite some time since 2015, ICC title has eluded Virat Kohli (and Ravi Shastri).Though
New Zealand was bit lucky to make it to the final. Playing against England
before this match and winning the series 1-0, stood them in good stead prior
this test match. On the other hand India hardly played any test match after the
February that too at home and was in completely different conditions. Having
IPL match practice was never going to be enough especially for the fast
bowlers, who took bit more time to adjust to the longer spells and English bowling
conditions. So Indians are suggesting for the best of three test finals. Also selection
of two spinners is going to be debated for the long time with such seam and
swing bowler friendly conditions. And if the top order batting was failing
miserably - not a single half century by any Indian - it was too much to expect
better batting display from spinner-batting allrounders. India has lot to
ponder on before the England 5 test match series due to start on Aug 4. Having said this.
Probably it was fitting enough
for New Zealand to win the championship, were hard done by bit bizarre rule in
2019 ODI World Cup Final, without actually loosing it. The nice, soft spoken, gentle
cricketing monsters are the worthy first test match world champions. Let`s all
congratulate the black caps Team New Zealand.
- Vivek Ketkar
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