New Zealand-India test left on knife-edge

The final day was set to be a lottery with New Zealand needing only 130 runs more for victory but still under pressure as Nathan Astle will only bat if required after fracturing a bone in his left hand during the final session.

New Zealand dismissed India for 356 in their second innings, of which Tendulkar scored 111.

But New Zealand buckled under some fine bowling from Javagal Srinath and leg spinner Anil Kumble and were 73 for four at stumps. Craig McMillan was unbeaten on 17 and nightwatchman Paul Wiseman yet to score.

New Zealand made a horror start to the chase when Matthew Bell was caught at short leg without scoring off the third ball of the innings. He had a pair of ducks.

Captain Stephen Fleming and Matthew Horne added 42 runs in 12 overs, before Fleming was bowled by Kumble without playing a shot for 17.

Astle was forced to retire after being struck on the back of the hand by a short-pitched ball from Srinath. There was more bad news when Horne and Adam Parore were dismissed in the closing overs.

New Zealand coach Steve Rixon said the final session was disappointing but he was still confident New Zealand could win. ``We wanted to occupy the crease but that didn't happen and now we've put ourselves under pressure,'' Rixon said.

``Still we've got four capable batsmen left and I'm optimistic of getting a result.

``I would like to think the current partnership would continue for a while and with the strike power of Cairns, Nash and Daniel Vettori to come I'm quietly confident of our chances.''

Dion Nash, who scored 89 in the first innings, will be particularly important to New Zealand hopes.

He gave New Zealand a sniff of victory just after lunch when he dismissed Tendulkar and captain Mohammad Azharuddin in the space of seven runs.

Tendulkar was in a belligerent mood in the morning session. He hit three fours in the first over he faced from off-spinner Wiseman and just before the break reached his 17th test century, but his first against New Zealand, with a six over long-on from Vettori.

Tendulkar and captain Mohammad Azharuddin threatened to take the game away from New Zealand but Nash ended their 97-run partnership with his first ball of the day.

Tendulkar slashed at the ball and Fleming took a simple catch at first slip. Tendulkar's century took 167 minutes and 123 balls and included 12 fours and two sixes.

The loss of Tendulkar triggered a batting collapse and India lost their last six wickets for 59 runs. Only a 43-run eighth-wicket partnership between Srinath and Kumble enabled India to post an awkward target.

Azahruddin went in controversial circumstances when he was adjudged caught behind from a ball that appeared to flick the flap of his back pad.

West Indian umpire Eddie Nicholls hesitated before giving Azharuddin out for 48 and the Indian captain was clearly unhappy with the decision, although match referee Barry Jarman felt there was no case to answer.

Nash's nine-over spell after lunch, into a northerly gale, was a superb display of stamina and netted him two wickets for 13 to give him final figures of three for 20 off 15 overs.

Indian coach Anshuman Gaekwad still believed the match was finely balanced.

``I think it is fair chance for both sides. They still have three good batsmen and while Astle may not be fully fit he must be reckoned with,'' Gaekwad said.