7th ODI: New Zealand v India at Hamilton, 14 Jan 2003
Ball-by-Ball Commentary
Match State: Match start scheduled for 2pm local time (0100 GMT)
welcome to Westpac Park in Hamilton for coverage of the seventh and
final match of the National Bank One-Day International Series
between New Zealand and India
it's a beautiful day here, with puffy white clouds and light blue
skies surrounding the city, a far cry from the gloomy evening
weather which saw some sustained rain showers
we should be in for a full, uninterrupted day's play (touch wood),
and the pitch looks a belter, so hopefully we get the runfest we
have all been crying out for during the whole tour
New Zealand have won the toss and chosen to bowl first, and have
left out Shane Bond from the side, with an injury concern, and
back in comes Daniel Vettori, with late call-up Paul Hitchcock
made 12th man
India are going into the game with three seamers and Anil Kumble,
with Harbhajan Singh acting as 12th man
the players make their way to the middle in front of a near-packed
crowd, the ground is looking a picture for its first day/night ODI
it'll be Daryl Tuffey to open the bowling from the City End to
Sourav Ganguly with Virender Sehwag at the non-striker's end
three slips, gully, third man, point, mid off, mid on and long leg
in place
0.1 Tuffey to Ganguly, no run, shortish rising ball just outside off
stump, shoulders arms through to the keeper
0.2 Tuffey to Ganguly, no run, fuller ball outside off stump, firmly
stroked straight up to Cairns at mid off
0.3 Tuffey to Ganguly, legbye: FOUR, full down the leg side, glanced
off the pad fine of the keeper, races down to the fine leg
boundary
0.4 Tuffey to Ganguly, no run, shortish lifting ball on off stump, hops
on the crease to defend down towards sub fielder Hitchcock at
point
Harris is off the field at the start of the game, but will be out
in the middle shortly
0.5 Tuffey to Ganguly, no run, lovely back of a length ball seaming
away just outside off stump, Ganguly has a little nibble at it,
but well inside the line, through to the keeper
0.6 Tuffey to Ganguly, no run, another lovely length ball just outside
off stump and angling away from the left-hander, holds the bat
just inside the line as it passes through to the keeper
End of over 1 (4 runs, maiden) India 4/0 (RR: 4.00)
DR Tuffey 1-1-0-0 - City End
V Sehwag 0* (0b) SC Ganguly 0* (6b)
Kyle Mills to open the bowling from the Members End
1.1 Mills to Sehwag, (noball) no run, shortish ball seaming into the
body, sweetly clipped off the hip straight to square leg
1.1 Mills to Sehwag, two runs, full on the legs, firmly turned away
through vacant midwicket for an easy couple to get off the mark
1.2 Mills to Sehwag, no run, similar ball, this time driven straight up
towards Vettori at wide mid on
1.3 Mills to Sehwag, no run, shortish lifting ball outside off stump,
shoulders arms through to the keeper
1.4 Mills to Sehwag, no run, Sehwag dangerously chooses to leave at the
last minute, good ball seams in sharply from outside off stump,
thoughts of an appeal but doing too much and struck fairly high on
the pad so is stifled
1.5 Mills to Sehwag, no run, beaten! lovely length ball, a bit fuller,
Sehwag props forward in defence, just slides past the outside
edge, through to the keeper
1.6 Mills to Sehwag, no run, fullish, straight ball, drives up on the
leg side of the pitch, mistimed straight up to Vettori at mid on
End of over 2 (3 runs) India 7/0 (RR: 3.50)
KD Mills 1-0-3-0 (1nb) - Members End
SC Ganguly 0* (6b) V Sehwag 2* (7b)
2.1 Tuffey to Ganguly, two runs, fair length ball seaming into the
ball, tucked away through vacant midwicket for an easy couple of
runs as Adams chases it down from mid on
2.2 Tuffey to Ganguly, no run, shortish ball has Ganguly well tucked
up, taken high on the leg, rebounds away into the gully
2.3 Tuffey to Ganguly, no run, shortish ball on off stump, props
forward in defence, firmly playing it away towards Hitchcock at
point
2.4 Tuffey to Ganguly, no run, lovely seaming ball rising off a probing
length from Tuffey, but it was just a bit too far outside off
stump and seaming so sharply that Ganguly is rather safe as he
holds inside the line of it
2.5 Tuffey to Ganguly, one run, shortish, straight ball, tucks it down
in close on the leg side into open space, easy quick run taken as
Tuffey has to scoot up to field himself
2.6 Tuffey to Sehwag, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
shoulders arms through to the keeper
End of over 3 (3 runs) India 10/0 (RR: 3.33)
DR Tuffey 2-1-3-0 - City End
SC Ganguly 3* (11b) V Sehwag 2* (8b)
3.1 Mills to Ganguly, one run, fullish ball straying down the leg side,
clipped away through backward square leg for an easy single, long
leg around in the deep to field
3.2 Mills to Sehwag, no run, fullish, wide ball outside off stump,
shoulders arms through to the keeper
3.3 Mills to Sehwag, one run, full on off stump, plays tightly in
defence, strongly squeezing it away through vacant cover for an
easy single as Vincent has to scoot after it from point, has a bit
of fun trying to pick up the ball on second and third attempts,
but no worries about
a possible misfield costing a run
3.4 Mills to Ganguly, no run, fullish, straightening ball, Ganguly
plays around the front pad and gets a dangerous leading edge,
flies low in the air but falls well short of backward point
3.5 Mills to Ganguly, no run, fullish ball angling into the pads,
sweetly turned away straight to square leg
3.6 Mills to Ganguly, no run, shorter ball outside off stump, chops it
hard into the ground, Sinclair dives away to his right at gully,
making a very good stop
End of over 4 (2 runs) India 12/0 (RR: 3.00)
KD Mills 2-0-5-0 (1nb) - Members End
V Sehwag 3* (10b) SC Ganguly 4* (15b)
4.1 Tuffey to Sehwag, no run, short lifting ball on off stump, defends
from the crease, tapping it down in close on the off side
4.2 Tuffey to Sehwag, no run, digs it in much shorter, on off stump,
Sehwag gets right in behind it, presenting the tall blade,
dropping it down in close on the off side playing a dead bat
4.3 Tuffey to Sehwag, no run, short rising ball outside off stump,
Sehwag chases after it as it moves further away, cuts and misses
as it passes under the bottom edge through to the keeper
4.4 Tuffey to Sehwag, no run, tight fuller ball just outside off stump,
props forward in defence, eases it into the covers, looking for a
quick single but it's not on
4.5 Tuffey to Sehwag, (noball) no run, oversteps, fullish ball outside
off stump, props forward, easing it into the covers again
4.5 Tuffey to Sehwag, one run, full outside off stump, drives hard at
it, getting a thick outside edge between slips and gully, down to
Vettori at third man
4.6 Tuffey to Ganguly, no run, good back of a length delivery just
outside off stump, drives from the crease but plays and misses,
through to the keeper
End of over 5 (2 runs) India 14/0 (RR: 2.80)
DR Tuffey 3-1-5-0 (1nb) - City End
V Sehwag 4* (16b) SC Ganguly 4* (16b)
5.1 Mills to Sehwag, no run, digs in a short lifting ball angling wider
outside off stump, slashes and misses, through to the keeper
5.2 Mills to Sehwag, no run, oooh! huge appeal for lbw by Mills, has
Sehwag well defeated by a seaming delivery cutting back in
sharply, trapped on the creaseline, jumping as it takes him on the
knee roll pretty much dead in front, umpire Harper stands still
though
replays suggest it was a very close thing, but height a doubt
5.3 Mills to Sehwag, OUT: but Mills has his man very next ball, short
lifting ball outside off stump and plenty of width to draw the
expansive cut, Sehwag only succeeds in feathering a thin top edge
through to McCullum behind the stumps
India 14/1, Partnership of 14
V Sehwag c McCullum b Mills 4 (19b 0x4 0x6)
SC Ganguly 4* (16b) KD Mills 2.3-0-5-1 (1nb)
interestingly it's Sachin Tendulkar in to bat at No 3, more
accustomed as opener, or as in recent times, at No 4
5.4 Mills to Tendulkar, no run, oh boy oh boy! Tendulkar almost in huge
trouble first ball, very similar to the earlier lbw shout against
Sehwag, trapped on the crease by a ball cutting in to him, but
replays suggest it was a little high too, and heading further down
leg, good call
from Harper, certainly sufficient doubt there
5.5 Mills to Tendulkar, one run, fullish ball on off stump, props
forward, easing it in close on the off side, good quick single
taken to get off the mark as bowler and mid off converge on the
ball but can't prevent it
5.6 Mills to Ganguly, no run, full and fairly wide, angling even wider
outside off stump, slashes and misses, through to the keeper
End of over 6 (1 run) India 15/1 (RR: 2.50)
KD Mills 3-0-6-1 (1nb) - Members End
SR Tendulkar 1* (2b) SC Ganguly 4* (17b)
6.1 Tuffey to Tendulkar, no run, good length rising ball just outside
off stump, shoulders arms through to the keeper
6.2 Tuffey to Tendulkar, wide: no run, shortish ball straying down the
leg side, can't catch up to it, through to the keeper
6.2 Tuffey to Tendulkar, no run, similar again but Tuffey gets his line
a little straighter, seams into the pads of Tendulkar, heading
well down the leg side though, drops down towards square leg
6.3 Tuffey to Tendulkar, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump,
leans well forward, compactly defending up towards Cairns at mid
on
6.4 Tuffey to Tendulkar, wide: no run, digs it in fairly shorter, but
once more strays down the leg side, McCullum takes it pretty high
up as it takes off from a length
6.4 Tuffey to Tendulkar, OUT: it's not to be Tendulkar's series sadly,
fullish ball with some width outside off stump, doesn't do much
off the deck but Tendulkar doesn't quite extend far enough to it
for the cover drive, edging a regulation chance to Fleming at
first slip
India 17/2, Partnership of 3
SR Tendulkar c Fleming b Tuffey 1 (6b 0x4 0x6)
SC Ganguly 4* (17b) DR Tuffey 3.4-1-7-1 (2w 1nb)
he misses the first four matches of the series, then proceeds to
score 0, 1 and 1 in the remaining 3 games - sawn off in the first
game, but showing lack of touch in the other two
Dinesh Mongia now appears at the crease at No 4
6.5 Tuffey to Mongia, OUT: oh boy! Tuffey on a hat-trick, Mongia is
squared up a little by a short lifting ball on off stump, fails to
account for the bounce and deflects an edge low down to Fleming
who happily accepts a second catch in two balls!
India 17/3, Partnership of 0
D Mongia c Fleming b Tuffey 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)
SC Ganguly 4* (17b) DR Tuffey 3.5-1-7-2 (2w 1nb)
Tuffey on a hat-trick and India off to another woeful start, it
would seem that even on what looks a pretty batting-friendly track
today, the demons in the batsmens' heads haven't entirely
disappeared when it comes to approaching how to play an innings
in this series
after a bit of a delay, no doubt caused by the new batsman having
to put on 90% of his gear in the last 60 seconds, it's Rahul
Dravid who appears to face the dreaded hat-trick delivery
four slips, gully, third man, cover, midwicket and fine leg in
place, the crowd fire up local boy Tuffey
6.6 Tuffey to Dravid, no run, oooh! not the worst hat-trick ball you've
ever seen, shortish ball seaming back in sharply from outside off
stump, takes Dravid rather high on the leg, a strong but
ultimately very hopeful appeal for lbw is turned down by umpire
Cowie
End of over 7 (2 runs) India 17/3 (RR: 2.43)
DR Tuffey 4-1-7-2 (2w 1nb) - City End
SC Ganguly 4* (17b) R Dravid 0* (1b)
7.1 Mills to Ganguly, two runs, full and straight, Ganguly neatly clips
it away through vacant midwicket, all the way along the carpet,
the quick outfield carries it three-quarters of the way to the
rope with ease before it's overhauled
7.2 Mills to Ganguly, no run, full and just angling on leg stump a
little, Ganguly shuffles inside it, watchfully turning it away to
forward square leg where sub fielder Hitchcock comes across to
field
7.3 Mills to Ganguly, no run, shortish ball on off stump, watchfully
hovers over it, easing it down to Vincent at point in defence
7.4 Mills to Ganguly, one run, fullish ball on off stump, eased into
the covers for an easy quick single, a wild return wide of
McCullum sees the ball go down to fine leg, but the batsmen
weren't watching so no overthrows, and the return from the deep is
missed too, but again no
further runs given away, a bit sloppy from the New Zealand field
7.5 Mills to Dravid, (noball) no run, oversteps, fullish ball on off
stump, props forward in defence, pushing it into the off side
7.5 Mills to Dravid, one run, full and straight, turned away towards
midwicket, quick single taken easily, off the mark
7.6 Mills to Ganguly, no run, fair length ball on off stump, watchfully
in behind it, defending quietly up towards Vettori at mid off
End of over 8 (5 runs) India 22/3 (RR: 2.75)
KD Mills 4-0-11-1 (2nb) - Members End
R Dravid 1* (3b) SC Ganguly 7* (22b)
8.1 Tuffey to Dravid, no run, good length ball just outside off stump,
Dravid plays rather late in defence, just squeezing it away past
the stumps from an inside edge, to Hitchcock at backward square
leg
8.2 Tuffey to Dravid, no run, digs it in rather short outside off
stump, fairly wide and has Dravid second guessing whether to play
at it, in the end yanks the bat back inside the line to leave it
alone to the keeper
8.3 Tuffey to Dravid, wide: no run, digs it in short again, this time
even wider outside off stump, left well alone to collect the free
run
8.3 Tuffey to Dravid, one run, shortish, straight ball, tucked off the
hip, played away just forward of square leg, quick single taken as
the shy goes wide at the bowler's end
8.4 Tuffey to Ganguly, one run, shortish ball on leg stump, turned away
down to Vettori at fine leg
8.5 Tuffey to Dravid, one run, shortish ball straying to leg stump
again, tucked down just past the diving Hitchcock at square leg,
out to Mills roaming around at long leg
8.6 Tuffey to Ganguly, no run, shortish lifting ball on off stump,
squared around in defence, slides off the face down to Vincent at
backward point
End of over 9 (4 runs) India 26/3 (RR: 2.89)
DR Tuffey 5-1-11-2 (3w 1nb) - City End
R Dravid 3* (7b) SC Ganguly 8* (24b)
9.1 Mills to Dravid, no run, whoa! fair length ball with some width
outside off stump, this one takes off a mile from the pitch,
Dravid shaped to play at it before he sees the alarming bounce and
lets it go through to the keeper
9.2 Mills to Dravid, one run, much fuller and angling right in at the
right-hander's toes, plays it streakily, looking to work it to leg
but instead gets a leading edge squirt away down to third man
9.3 Mills to Ganguly, no run, digs in a bouncer, Ganguly ducks well
underneath it, through to the keeper and that's his one allowable
short-pitched ball for the over
9.4 Mills to Ganguly, one run, Ganguly plays somewhat similarly to
Dravid a couple of balls earlier, looking to play a full, straight
ball to the leg side, but plays too soon and gets a leading edge
evade the gully fielder, down to third man
9.5 Mills to Dravid, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, watchfully
defends from the crease, strongly pushing it straight up to Adams
at wide mid off
9.6 Mills to Dravid, FOUR, overpitched and finally the first boundary
of the innings is scored, Dravid driving wonderfully well back
past the bowler, Adams gives chase in vain from mid on, too well
timed and the outfield is fast
End of over 10 (6 runs) India 32/3 (RR: 3.20)
KD Mills 5-0-17-1 (2nb) - Members End
SC Ganguly 9* (26b) R Dravid 8* (11b 1x4)
10.1 Tuffey to Ganguly, one run, shortish, straight ball, tucked off the
hip down to Vettori at fine leg
10.2 Tuffey to Dravid, no run, shortish lifting ball outside off stump,
stands tall on the crease, mistiming a punchy sort of shot,
straight up to mid off
10.3 Tuffey to Dravid, no run, fullish, straight ball, firmly stroked
along the ground straight up to Cairns at wide mid on
10.4 Tuffey to Dravid, no run, short rising straight ball, gets a bit
tangled up in defence, drops it at his feet, almost falling over
the ball, watching carefully to ensure it doesn't roll anywhere
near the stumps, in no danger in the end
10.5 Tuffey to Dravid, no run, short ball angling away widish outside
off stump, hangs the bat back out of the way to leave to the
keeper
10.6 Tuffey to Dravid, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
props well forward, dead bat defends it down in close on the off
side
End of over 11 (1 run) India 33/3 (RR: 3.00)
DR Tuffey 6-1-12-2 (3w 1nb) - City End
SC Ganguly 10* (27b) R Dravid 8* (16b 1x4)
11.1 Mills to Ganguly, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump,
props well forward, quietly defending into the covers
11.2 Mills to Ganguly, wide: no run, fullish ball outside off stump,
hangs the bat well back out of the way, left alone to the keeper
11.2 Mills to Ganguly, one run, full on leg stump, glanced down to
Cairns at fine leg for an easy single
11.3 Mills to Dravid, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, shoulders
arms through to the keeper
11.4 Mills to Dravid, no run, fullish, straight ball, defends down in
close on the leg side
11.5 Mills to Dravid, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, shoulders
arms through to the keeper
11.6 Mills to Dravid, no run, fullish ball on off stump, props forward,
defending down into the off side
End of over 12 (2 runs) India 35/3 (RR: 2.92)
KD Mills 6-0-19-1 (1w 2nb) - Members End
SC Ganguly 11* (29b) R Dravid 8* (20b 1x4)
Andre Adams on to bowl, replacing Tuffey at the City End
12.1 Adams to Ganguly, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, firmly
eased away to backward point
12.2 Adams to Ganguly, FOUR, shot! overpitched outside off stump,
Ganguly plays a glorious square drive through cover point,
wonderful stroke, no need to run for that one
12.3 Adams to Ganguly, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, eases it
away square on the off side in defence
12.4 Adams to Ganguly, no run, good ball! extra effort delivery, on a
back of a length just a fraction outside off stump, plenty of
bounce defeats Ganguly well and truly in defence, through to the
keeper
12.5 Adams to Ganguly, no run, fuller ball just outside off stump,
strongly driven square, but straight to Vincent at point
12.6 Adams to Ganguly, no run, short rising ball on off stump, Ganguly
jumps up high to get over the top of it, defending down into the
ground towards Vincent at point
End of over 13 (4 runs) India 39/3 (RR: 3.00)
AR Adams 1-0-4-0 - City End
R Dravid 8* (20b 1x4) SC Ganguly 15* (35b 1x4)
13.1 Mills to Dravid, no run, shortish, straight ball, tucks it down
towards Hitchcock at square leg in defence
13.2 Mills to Dravid, no run, fullish ball angling in on off stump, gets
right in behind it, defending solidly up towards mid on
13.3 Mills to Dravid, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, defends
straight back to the bowler from the crease
13.4 Mills to Dravid, FOUR, oooh! good length fullish ball just outside
off stump, Dravid flinches at it, gets a regulation edge, but it
falls right in between the keeper and first slip, neither really
react to it and it goes straight through to the boundary
looked to be the keeper's one that, falling short of first slip and
Fleming was relatively wide
13.5 Mills to Dravid, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, shoulders
arms to the keeper
13.6 Mills to Dravid, wide: no run, full and wide, swinging away down
the leg side through to the keeper
13.6 Mills to Dravid, OUT: just when a partnership looks like forming,
it's nipped in the bud, good length ball angling in on off stump,
Dravid fends at it, deflecting an edge to Styris at second slip,
taking it sharply to his left, good clean take
India 44/4, Partnership of 27
R Dravid c Styris b Mills 12 (26b 2x4 0x6)
End of over 14 (5 runs) India 44/4 (RR: 3.14)
KD Mills 7-0-24-2 (2w 2nb) - Members End
SC Ganguly 15* (35b 1x4)
Yuvraj Singh the new batsman
14.1 Adams to Ganguly, no run, full outside off stump, firmly pushed
straight up to Cairns at mid off in defence
14.2 Adams to Ganguly, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
cuts hard at it but chops it into the ground, bounces away to
Vincent at point
14.3 Adams to Ganguly, no run, shortish ball on off stump, gets right in
behind it, defending with a dead bat straight back to Adams
14.4 Adams to Ganguly, OUT: oh dear oh dear, it just goes from bad to
worse for teams batting first in this series, Ganguly joins the
casualty list after outlasting most of the rest of his top order
for once, fullish outside off stump, drives and drags it on to his
stumps
India 44/5, Partnership of 0
SC Ganguly b Adams 15 (39b 1x4 0x6)
Yuvraj Singh 0* (0b) AR Adams 1.4-0-4-1
time for a drinks break at the fall of wicket, with India in
complete disarray on what looks a good batting surface, the mind
boggles
Match State: Drinks
Mohammad Kaif the new batsman
14.5 Adams to Kaif, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, props
forward in defence, easing it into the covers, looking for a quick
single but it's not on
14.6 Adams to Kaif, no run, similar again, leans forward, easing it away
towards point in defence
End of over 15 (maiden) India 44/5 (RR: 2.93)
AR Adams 2-1-4-1 - City End
Yuvraj Singh 0* (0b) M Kaif 0* (2b)
15.1 Mills to Yuvraj Singh, no run, shortish ball angling away further
outside off stump, leaves well alone to the keeper
15.2 Mills to Yuvraj Singh, no run, ouch! short lifting ball on leg
stump, a touch extra bounce has Yuvraj trying to play it down in
close off the legs, but is taken on the glove and is in
considerable pain
out comes the physio very quickly to give him some treatment
15.3 Mills to Yuvraj Singh, no run, good ball! fullish and inviting the
drive outside off stump, using the natural angle across the left-
hander nicely, Yuvraj reaches for it but is well beaten to the
keeper, no great seam movement there
15.4 Mills to Yuvraj Singh, no run, full and a fair bit wider outside
off stump, more easily left alone by Yuvraj this time
15.5 Mills to Yuvraj Singh, no run, fullish ball straightening on the
stumps, Yuvraj props well forward in defence, taken on the knee
roll on the front pad, balloons high in the air as there's an
unconvincing shout for lbw from behind the stumps, pitched outside
the line of leg stump
15.6 Mills to Yuvraj Singh, no run, full on off stump, props forward in
defence, compactly playing it back on the off side of the pitch
End of over 16 (maiden) India 44/5 (RR: 2.75)
KD Mills 8-1-24-2 (2w 2nb) - Members End
M Kaif 0* (2b) Yuvraj Singh 0* (6b)
and after 16 overs Chris Harris finally makes an appearance on the
field and a long sub stint comes to an end for Hitchcock
it would seem that Harris had come down with a bit of a bug like a
few others, and let's just say, in kind terms, a lot of his recent
meals was returning back from whence it came
16.1 Adams to Kaif, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump, props
well forward, defending square on the off side
16.2 Adams to Kaif, no run, a little shorter and straight, turns it away
to Vincent at forward square leg
16.3 Adams to Kaif, no run, fullish ball angling into the pads, taken on
the knee roll, loud shout for lbw turned down by umpire Cowie, not
a bad one but perhaps just heading down leg
16.4 Adams to Kaif, OUT: oh dear oh dear oh dear, what can you say now,
really? fullish ball outside off stump, Kaif pushes forward but
doesn't get to the pitch of it, edges straight through to McCullum
who gloves it well having to stretch a bit to his right
India 44/6, Partnership of 0
M Kaif c McCullum b Adams 0 (6b 0x4 0x6)
Yuvraj Singh 0* (6b) AR Adams 2.4-1-4-2
three wickets fall with the score stuck on 44, that delivery really
did nothing off the track, just the uncertainty in the batsmens'
minds playing havoc on them
Anil Kumble the new batsman, already the tail is exposed in just
the 17th over
Kumble, Srinath, Khan and Nehra are all capable to a certain
degree, but can't, and certainly shouldn't, be relied upon to bat
for the best part of 34 overs with Yuvraj - who is yet again
stranded to bat with them!
16.5 Adams to Kumble, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, leaves
well alone to the keeper
16.6 Adams to Kumble, no run, beaten! lovely back of a length ball just
seaming away outside off stump, Kumble has a dabble but just holds
the bat inside the line to let it go to the keeper
End of over 17 (maiden) India 44/6 (RR: 2.59)
AR Adams 3-2-4-2 - City End
Yuvraj Singh 0* (6b) A Kumble 0* (2b)
17.1 Mills to Yuvraj Singh, no run, whoa! a brute of a ball! rising very
sharply from a good length just outside off stump, Yuvraj shapes
to defend but has to jerk his whole body, and crucially his gloves
just out of the way of that one, through to the keeper
yet another hold up as there are problems with something in the
batsman's line of sight
would seem the sun is reflecting off the portable covers placed
down there, causing trouble, now a tarpaulin is being hauled over
it
17.2 Mills to Yuvraj Singh, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump,
leaves it well alone through to the keeper, a good tidy leave to a
good line delivery
17.3 Mills to Yuvraj Singh, no run, shorter ball just a little further
outside off stump, shoulders arms through to the keeper again
17.4 Mills to Yuvraj Singh, no run, shortish lifting ball on off stump,
quietly defends it down in close on the off side, Harris scoots in
from point to field
17.5 Mills to Yuvraj Singh, one run, short lifting ball on leg stump,
tucks it down to vacant square leg, and at last, after 24 balls,
India get off 44!
17.6 Mills to Kumble, no run, shortish lifting ball on off stump, eases
it down towards Vincent at point in defence
End of over 18 (1 run) India 45/6 (RR: 2.50)
KD Mills 9-1-25-2 (2w 2nb) - Members End
Yuvraj Singh 1* (11b) A Kumble 0* (3b)
18.1 Adams to Yuvraj Singh, one run, shortish ball straightening on
Yuvraj, turns it down to Vettori at fine leg
18.2 Adams to Kumble, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, firmly
square driven into the turf, Harris falls to his left at point to
stop it well, though not entirely cleanly
18.3 Adams to Kumble, no run, digs in a very short ball, Kumble has to
jump right up to fend it down at his feet in defence
18.4 Adams to Kumble, no run, beaten! good length ball just outside off
stump, Kumble drives at it and misses, through to the keeper
18.5 Adams to Kumble, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, stands
tall on the crease to force it straight up to Tuffey at mid off
18.6 Adams to Kumble, one run, digs in a short ball into the body, hops
on the crease, tucking it down to Mills at fine leg
End of over 19 (2 runs) India 47/6 (RR: 2.47)
AR Adams 4-2-6-2 - City End
A Kumble 1* (8b) Yuvraj Singh 2* (12b)
Mills to bowl out his 10th and final over on the trot
19.1 Mills to Kumble, no run, shortish lifting ball outside off stump,
Kumble fences at it, beaten through to the keeper
19.2 Mills to Kumble, no run, fullish ball angling back into the pads,
hopeful appeal for lbw from the bowler alone, but umpire Harper
walks away very quickly, totally disinterested as it was heading
down leg
19.3 Mills to Kumble, no run, fullish ball angling down the leg side,
flicks the pad as Kumble misses out on a fine glance, McCullum
quickly across to take it
19.4 Mills to Kumble, FOUR, shot! Kumble shows up a few of his top order
team-mates with a lovely cover drive, a bit too full and simply
stepped forward to meet the pitch of it, plays through the line
and times it very nicely through vacant extra cover, elementary
batting 101
performed with aplomb
19.5 Mills to Kumble, no run, shortish ball on off stump, stands tall on
the crease, forcing it straight down to Vincent hovering across at
cover point
19.6 Mills to Kumble, no run, short rising ball angling in on off stump,
gets right in behind it, solidly defending straight back to the
bowler
End of over 20 (4 runs) India 51/6 (RR: 2.55)
KD Mills 10-1-29-2 (2w 2nb) - Members End
Yuvraj Singh 2* (12b) A Kumble 5* (14b 1x4)
Mills completes a very tidy 10 overs, taking 2-29
20.1 Adams to Yuvraj Singh, no run, full outside off stump, sweetly
driven along the ground straight up to Cairns at wide mid off
20.2 Adams to Yuvraj Singh, two runs, full and strays to leg stump,
wristily turned away through vacant square leg, easy two on offer
as Vettori has to race all the way in from fine leg to field in
the deep
20.3 Adams to Yuvraj Singh, no run, short lifting ball just outside off
stump, Yuvraj tries to hook but misses, playing over the top of
it, through to the keeper
two men have been placed behind square in the deep for the short
ball too, looking to lure Yuvraj into an aerial stroke
20.4 Adams to Yuvraj Singh, one run, short ball on leg stump, smartly
turns it off the hip along the ground down to Vettori at fine leg
20.5 Adams to Kumble, no run, full outside off stump, stretches well
forward, driving it straight up to Tuffey at mid off
20.6 Adams to Kumble, wide: no run, digs it in rather short, but heading
well down the leg side, Kumble has little to do with it, through
to the keeper
20.6 Adams to Kumble, no run, digs in a short rising ball angling in on
the body, fends it down at his feet, Adams charges forth to field
to prevent any remote thoughts of a quick single
End of over 21 (4 runs) India 55/6 (RR: 2.62)
AR Adams 5-2-10-2 (1w) - City End
Yuvraj Singh 5* (16b) A Kumble 5* (16b 1x4)
Scott Styris on to bowl at the Members End, replacing Mills who has
completed his 10 overs
21.1 Styris to Yuvraj Singh, no run, full outside off stump, Yuvraj
drives and misses, through to the keeper
just the one slip for the medium pacer, gully, point, third man,
cover, mid off, mid on, deep square leg and fine leg in place
21.2 Styris to Yuvraj Singh, no run, fullish ball inviting the drive
outside off stump again, straightens a little as it's left alone
to pass through to the keeper
21.3 Styris to Yuvraj Singh, no run, very similar line again, a bit
shorter in length though, Yuvraj leans out towards it before
raising the arms up high to leave to the keeper
21.4 Styris to Yuvraj Singh, FOUR, shot! a cracker from Yuvraj,
overpitched outside off stump by Styris and the batsman takes full
toll with a wonderful drive through cover, didn't have to move a
muscle after it pierced the infield
21.5 Styris to Yuvraj Singh, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump,
hops on the crease to get in behind it, defending with a straight
bat, drops it at his feet
21.6 Styris to Yuvraj Singh, one run, fullish ball outside off stump,
props well forward in defence, runs it off the face along the
ground, down to Tuffey at third man
End of over 22 (5 runs) India 60/6 (RR: 2.73)
SB Styris 1-0-5-0 - Members End
Yuvraj Singh 10* (22b 1x4) A Kumble 5* (16b 1x4)
22.1 Adams to Yuvraj Singh, no run, tight shortish lifting ball on off
stump, watchfully in behind it, defending straight up to Cairns at
mid off
22.2 Adams to Yuvraj Singh, FOUR, short lifting ball outside off stump,
Yuvraj pushes hard at it, spearing it away through backward point,
just wide of gully, a little in the air, was a very wristy stroke,
credit to Yuvraj in the end though looked dangerous playing away
from his body,
beats Mills down at third man as it's played too square of him
22.3 Adams to Yuvraj Singh, FOUR, now Adams overpitches on his legs and
is punished through the other side of the field, a lovely drive
off the legs through midwicket, Vincent chases from deep square
leg but he is beaten by the timing of the stroke
22.4 Adams to Yuvraj Singh, no run, short lifting ball outside off
stump, steers it down towards Harris at point in defence
22.5 Adams to Yuvraj Singh, no run, full and straight, defends right in
behind it, pushing it back on the leg side of the pitch
22.6 Adams to Yuvraj Singh, no run, shortish ball on off stump, tries to
force it through the covers but is cramped up, chops a bottom edge
into the ground and it bounces away towards Tuffey at wide mid on,
unable to farm the strike any further at the end of this over
End of over 23 (8 runs) India 68/6 (RR: 2.96)
AR Adams 6-2-18-2 (1w) - City End
A Kumble 5* (16b 1x4) Yuvraj Singh 18* (28b 3x4)
23.1 Styris to Kumble, no run, fullish, straight ball, pushes it
straight back down the pitch to the bowler in defence
23.2 Styris to Kumble, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, opens the
face and steers it away to Harris at backward point
23.3 Styris to Kumble, FOUR, shot! great stuff from Kumble, Styris
overpitches and is driven straight down the ground on the leg
side, gets past Vettori at mid on and continues to run away from
the chaser
23.4 Styris to Kumble, no run, fullish ball coming back in to Kumble,
taken on the pad and drops down in close square on the leg side
23.5 Styris to Kumble, no run, full outside off stump, thrusts the front
pad well forward, effectively kicking it away towards Harris at
point
23.6 Styris to Kumble, no run, good length ball outside off stump,
stretches well forward, covering up in defence, nudging it down
into the covers
End of over 24 (4 runs) India 72/6 (RR: 3.00)
SB Styris 2-0-9-0 - Members End
Yuvraj Singh 18* (28b 3x4) A Kumble 9* (22b 2x4)
Daniel Vettori on for a rare bowl in this series, taking every
opportunity he can get now! replaces Adams at the City End
very much a more traditional inner ring field set for Yuvraj on
strike, with men on the 45 inside the circle both sides of the
wicket, plus a cover, midwicket, mid off and mid on, plus three
men in the deep, two on the leg side
24.1 Vettori to Yuvraj Singh, no run, flighted up nicely full and
straight, watchfully strokes it back along the pitch to the bowler
24.2 Vettori to Yuvraj Singh, no run, flighted up on off stump, turns it
away off his toes to Vincent at forward square leg
24.3 Vettori to Yuvraj Singh, no run, props forward in defence to a
flighted ball turning in from just outside off stump, drops down
in close on the leg side from bat/pad
24.4 Vettori to Yuvraj Singh, no run, flighted up full and invitingly
quite wide outside off stump, Yuvraj goes for the flourishing
cover drive but misses
24.5 Vettori to Yuvraj Singh, no run, quicker ball pushed through
outside off stump, has Yuvraj having to adjust as he looked to
advance to that delivery, in the end has to cover up, defending to
Harris at cover from out of his crease
24.6 Vettori to Yuvraj Singh, one run, flighted up outside off stump,
Yuvraj drives somewhat falsely, but gets it straight enough of
Harris at cover, down to long off
End of over 25 (1 run) India 73/6 (RR: 2.92)
DL Vettori 1-0-1-0 - City End
Yuvraj Singh 19* (34b 3x4) A Kumble 9* (22b 2x4)
25.1 Styris to Yuvraj Singh, no run, good length ball angling away just
outside off stump, props forward but holds the bat well inside the
line to leave to the keeper
25.2 Styris to Yuvraj Singh, no run, oooh! maybe a key movement for
Yuvraj, dropped by Sinclair, good length ball outside off stump by
Styris, Yuvraj lunges well forward at it, gets a thick outside
edge flying high to Sinclair in the gully, leaps up as he falls
back, partly takes it but
it's then parried up in the air, and he can't gather it in falling
to the turf, a chance on 19 for Yuvraj
25.3 Styris to Yuvraj Singh, no run, fullish ball outside off stump,
firmly driven straight to Vincent in the covers
25.4 Styris to Yuvraj Singh, no run, similar again, this time driving
much straighter, up to Vettori at wide mid off, just inside the
circle
25.5 Styris to Yuvraj Singh, no run, fullish ball just outside off
stump, stretches well forward, defending back down the pitch to
the bowler
25.6 Styris to Yuvraj Singh, one run, shortish ball on off stump, works
it very smartly, dropping it down in close on the leg side into
space, quick single taken as the bowler has to field himself, and
Yuvraj regains the strike yet again
End of over 26 (1 run) India 74/6 (RR: 2.85)
SB Styris 3-0-10-0 - Members End
Yuvraj Singh 20* (40b 3x4) A Kumble 9* (22b 2x4)
this pair have now added 30 runs, the largest stand of the innings,
and have largely looked very good in doing it, barring that chance
in the last over
26.1 Vettori to Yuvraj Singh, one run, short ball sits up outside off
stump, slapped hard down through cover point, Mills slides around
in the deep to field just inside the rope
26.2 Vettori to Kumble, no run, flat ball outside off stump, Kumble
waits on it to arrive, chopping it down into the ground, Fleming
fields from slip
26.3 Vettori to Kumble, no run, flighted up rather full and quite
straight, Kumble stretches forward in defence, loud shout for lbw
led by Vettori as it turns into the front pad, but looked to be
turning too far says umpire Cowie
26.4 Vettori to Kumble, no run, flat ball turning into the pads, drops
down in close on the leg side as Kumble fails to get it away after
shuffling back
26.5 Vettori to Kumble, no run, darts in a quick, flat ball on off
stump, props forward, defending down into the off side
26.6 Vettori to Kumble, no run, gives it plenty of air, looping a full
ball in on off stump, props forward, defending solidly back down
the pitch
End of over 27 (1 run) India 75/6 (RR: 2.78)
DL Vettori 2-0-2-0 - City End
Yuvraj Singh 21* (41b 3x4) A Kumble 9* (27b 2x4)
27.1 Styris to Yuvraj Singh, no run, back of a length ball climbs from
the pitch, surprising Yuvraj, fends it down safely in close on the
off side
27.2 Styris to Yuvraj Singh, no run, fullish ball angling away outside
off stump, leans forward but hangs the bat out of the way to leave
to the keeper
27.3 Styris to Yuvraj Singh, no run, full outside off stump, Yuvraj
looks to crash it through the covers but plays a bit too early,
drags it weakly back down the pitch to the bowler who fields on
his follow through
27.4 Styris to Yuvraj Singh, no run, good length ball just angling away
outside off stump, Yuvraj has a good look at it before leaving
alone to the keeper
27.5 Styris to Yuvraj Singh, no run, fullish, straight ball, props well
forward, easing it away to Harris at point in defence
27.6 Styris to Yuvraj Singh, three runs, Yuvraj lives dangerously again,
looking to reclaim the strike, and he does it, although
unconvincingly, playing a lofted off drive, through a gap at
cover, Vincent sprints after it like a hare, but a quick return
doesn't prevent a very well run third
End of over 28 (3 runs) India 78/6 (RR: 2.79)
SB Styris 4-0-13-0 - Members End
Yuvraj Singh 24* (47b 3x4) A Kumble 9* (27b 2x4)
28.1 Vettori to Yuvraj Singh, no run, flat ball outside off stump, props
forward, defending back on the off side of the pitch to the bowler
28.2 Vettori to Yuvraj Singh, no run, another flat ball angling in on
the stumps, Yuvraj watchfully defends from the crease
28.3 Vettori to Yuvraj Singh, one run, gives it plenty of air outside
off stump, drives strongly along the ground through wide mid off,
Cairns dives across to field very well on the circle edge, slight
confusion by the batsmen but they scramble a quick single safely
in the end, as Cairns
can't pick up and return cleanly first time around
28.4 Vettori to Kumble, no run, floats up a full toss, Kumble is
uncertain and tamely defends it straight back to the bowler
28.5 Vettori to Kumble, no run, flighted up very full outside off stump,
squeezed straight back to the bowler in defence
28.6 Vettori to Kumble, one run, flighted up full outside off stump,
eases it away towards cover point, quick single taken well as
Sinclair has to field from gully
End of over 29 (2 runs) India 80/6 (RR: 2.76)
DL Vettori 3-0-4-0 - City End
A Kumble 10* (30b 2x4) Yuvraj Singh 25* (50b 3x4)
29.1 Styris to Kumble, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
Kumble plays at it away from his body, misses through to the
keeper
29.2 Styris to Kumble, no run, shortish ball on off stump, Kumble is a
little tangled up in playing it, done by the seam movement back
in, taken high on the pad and passes over the stumps, through to
the keeper on the bounce
29.3 Styris to Kumble, no run, beaten again! good shortish ball just
outside off stump, Kumble pushes forward at it and the outside
edge is once again defeated
29.4 Styris to Kumble, no run, fuller ball outside off stump, props well
forward in defence, solidly plays it down to Cairns at extra cover
29.5 Styris to Kumble, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, Kumble
once again lunges out to play at it but is beaten to the keeper
29.6 Styris to Kumble, no run, and again! this one's a little wider,
Kumble pushes well away from his body but misses it by some
distance, through to the keeper
End of over 30 (maiden) India 80/6 (RR: 2.67)
SB Styris 5-1-13-0 - Members End
Yuvraj Singh 25* (50b 3x4) A Kumble 10* (36b 2x4)
30.1 Vettori to Yuvraj Singh, two runs, flighted up full on the toes,
nicely driven through wide midwicket, Adams scoots around from
deep midwicket to field, sliding and firing it back to the
bowler's end in one sweeping motion
30.2 Vettori to Yuvraj Singh, FOUR, shot! very similar again, but this
time Yuvraj lofts it more strongly over the top, picking it up
from outside off stump, a collection job for Adams this time
30.3 Vettori to Yuvraj Singh, no run, flighted up outside off stump,
leans well forward, defends back quietly on the leg side of the
pitch to the bowler
30.4 Vettori to Yuvraj Singh, one run, pushed through full outside off
stump, leans well forward, easing it just forward of point for an
easy single as Harris fields from cover
30.5 Vettori to Kumble, no run, flighted up very full on off stump,
props forward, defending straight back to the bowler
30.6 Vettori to Kumble, no run, flighted up outside off stump, stretches
well forward, covering up in defence, drops it at his feet
End of over 31 (7 runs) India 87/6 (RR: 2.81)
DL Vettori 4-0-11-0 - City End
Yuvraj Singh 32* (54b 4x4) A Kumble 10* (38b 2x4)
31.1 Styris to Yuvraj Singh, one run, short and straight, powerfully
pulled in the air, hard and flat out to Cairns at deep midwicket
on the bounce
Yuvraj improvising nicely now, playing more freely now that the
partnership is well established and Kumble is looking rather
trustworthy at the other end
31.2 Styris to Kumble, no run, fair length ball outside off stump,
pushes forward in defence, easing it straight to Cairns at extra
cover
31.3 Styris to Kumble, no run, fullish ball swinging into the pads,
tries to clip it through midwicket but misses, drops away from the
pad towards Vincent at forward square leg
31.4 Styris to Kumble, no run, full outside off stump, drives strongly
into the deck, bounces up to Styris who jumps up to field above
his head on the follow through
31.5 Styris to Kumble, no run, full outside off stump, stretches well
forward with the front pad, kicking it away, balloons away into
the gully where Sinclair fields
31.6 Styris to Kumble, one run, fair length ball with some width outside
off stump, Kumble opens the face and steers it along the ground
down to Adams at third man
End of over 32 (2 runs) India 89/6 (RR: 2.78)
SB Styris 6-1-15-0 - Members End
A Kumble 11* (43b 2x4) Yuvraj Singh 33* (55b 4x4)
Tuffey returns, replacing Vettori at the City End
time for something different from New Zealand, this pair cruising
against the medium and slow bowling
32.1 Tuffey to Kumble, no run, short rising ball just outside off stump,
hangs the bat back out of the way, leaving alone to the keeper
32.2 Tuffey to Kumble, no run, shortish rising ball on off stump, steers
it down into the gully where Sinclair fields
32.3 Tuffey to Kumble, no run, shortish ball on off stump, props half
forward in defence, drops it back on the leg side of the pitch
32.4 Tuffey to Kumble, no run, digs it in rather short on off stump,
jumps up on the crease, playing with a dead bat back down the
pitch
32.5 Tuffey to Kumble, no run, short rising ball outside off stump,
jumps up on the crease to steer it down to Harris at backward
point
32.6 Tuffey to Kumble, FOUR, shot! good length ball outside off stump
and Kumble carves it away through backward point
End of over 33 (4 runs) India 93/6 (RR: 2.82)
DR Tuffey 7-1-16-2 (3w 1nb) - City End
Yuvraj Singh 33* (55b 4x4) A Kumble 15* (49b 3x4)
time for a drinks break, this pair have done very well to see India
through to it! 49 partnership and potential to grow a lot further
Match State: Drinks
33.1 Styris to Yuvraj Singh, no run, fullish ball outside off stump,
props well forward, defending straight back to the bowler
33.2 Styris to Yuvraj Singh, no run, a little shorter outside off stump,
hangs the bat out of the way to leave to the keeper
33.3 Styris to Yuvraj Singh, OUT: and just when it looked like India had
some hope, it disappears straight after the drinks break, fullish
ball outside off stump, tries to loft it over the top but miscues
it, straight to Vincent at mid off, leaping up to take a
comfortable
India 93/7, Partnership of 49
Yuvraj Singh c Vincent b Styris 33 (58b 4x4 0x6)
A Kumble 15* (49b 3x4) SB Styris 6.3-1-15-1
catch above his head, Yuvraj's sponsorship logo fell off the bat as
he played that shot, a little bizarre, but didn't seem to affect
his dismissal
Zaheer Khan the new batsman
33.4 Styris to Khan, no run, very full outside off stump, jams the bat
down on it in defence
33.5 Styris to Khan, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump,
squirts it away towards Harris at point in defence
33.6 Styris to Khan, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump,
shoulders arms through to the keeper
End of over 34 (maiden) India 93/7 (RR: 2.74)
SB Styris 7-2-15-1 - Members End
A Kumble 15* (49b 3x4) Z Khan 0* (3b)
34.1 Tuffey to Kumble, one run, good back of a length ball just outside
off stump, Kumble steers it dangerously down towards Fleming at
slip, but plays it softly so it bounces short of him, Fleming
doesn't quite reach down well enough and it sneaks through his
legs for a single
34.2 Tuffey to Khan, no run, Tuffey digs in a short pitched ball, has
Khan jumping about his crease to fend it down, does so quite
safely towards Harris at point
34.3 Tuffey to Khan, no run, and another short one, this one a little
shorter outside off stump, Khan sways out of the way, and that's
his one allowable bouncer for the over signalled by the umpires
34.4 Tuffey to Khan, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
steers it straight down to Styris at second slip on the bounce
34.5 Tuffey to Khan, no run, shortish ball angling in from outside off
stump, hops on the crease to defend down to Vettori at mid off
34.6 Tuffey to Khan, FOUR, shot! shortish ball just sits up a little
outside off stump, Khan plays a cracking forcing stroke through
the covers, Vettori gives chase but it teases him to the very end
before it rolls over the boundary line
End of over 35 (5 runs) India 98/7 (RR: 2.80)
DR Tuffey 8-1-21-2 (3w 1nb) - City End
A Kumble 16* (50b 3x4) Z Khan 4* (8b 1x4)
the clouds have parted and the ground is now bathed in glorious
sunshine, the crowd are enjoying themselves as best as possible
under the circumstances
even as partial home supporters, they'd surely like to have seen a
lot more runs to set up an exciting chase later
35.1 Styris to Kumble, no run, shortish ball on off stump, steers it
down into the gully where Sinclair fields
35.2 Styris to Kumble, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, drives
firmly straight back down the pitch to the bowler
35.3 Styris to Kumble, no run, fullish ball angling in on off stump,
Kumble shuffles forward, defending with bat/pad very close
together, easing it firmly to Cairns in the covers
35.4 Styris to Kumble, no run, full outside off stump, Kumble plays a
cracking off drive along the carpet, but straight up to Mills at
mid off so gets no value from the stroke
35.5 Styris to Kumble, no run, fullish ball angling in on off stump,
props forward, easing it away into the covers in defence
35.6 Styris to Kumble, no run, fullish ball on off stump, watchfully
eases it away into the covers in defence
End of over 36 (maiden) India 98/7 (RR: 2.72)
SB Styris 8-3-15-1 - Members End
Z Khan 4* (8b 1x4) A Kumble 16* (56b 3x4)
36.1 Tuffey to Khan, no run, full outside off stump, firmly stroked into
the covers, Harris dives across but misses it, however it's well
covered by Vettori at extra cover, preventing thoughts of a single
36.2 Tuffey to Khan, no run, shortish lifting ball on off stump, hops on
the crease to defend it down into the covers, Harris in the action
again
36.3 Tuffey to Khan, no run, digs in a very short ball outside off
stump, Khan takes a big swipe at it, trying to hook it over
midwicket, misses altogether, through to the keeper
36.4 Tuffey to Khan, no run, full and fairly wide outside off stump,
Khan has another mighty heave, looking to play to the fairly open
leg side, but misses once again to the keeper
36.5 Tuffey to Khan, no run, shortish lifting ball on off stump, stands
tall on the crease, watchfully defending with a dead bat down into
the covers
36.6 Tuffey to Khan, one run, fullish ball outside off stump, opens the
face and smartly steers it wide of gully, down to Adams roaming
across at third man
End of over 37 (1 run) India 99/7 (RR: 2.68)
DR Tuffey 9-1-22-2 (3w 1nb) - City End
Z Khan 5* (14b 1x4) A Kumble 16* (56b 3x4)
37.1 Styris to Khan, OUT: and another one bites the dust, good short
rising ball just outside off stump, Khan flinches at it, feathers
a touch straight through to the keeper and Styris is ecstatic
India 99/8, Partnership of 6
Z Khan c McCullum b Styris 5 (15b 1x4 0x6)
A Kumble 16* (56b 3x4) SB Styris 8.1-3-15-2
India again looking to trouble the record books, with the dreaded
figure of 108, having been achieved twice already this series by
the tourists, looking to be topped, or perhaps equalled today
Javagal Srinath the new batsman to the crease
37.2 Styris to Srinath, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump,
firmly drives back down the pitch, Styris fields low down on his
follow through
37.3 Styris to Srinath, no run, shortish, straight ball, climbs from an
awkward length a little too nastily for Srinath's liking, takes
one hand off the bat as he fends it down at his feet
37.4 Styris to Srinath, FOUR, digs in a short ball but is angling down
the leg side, Srinath fends it off his body, getting a bit of
glove to it, flies fine and wide of the keeper, down to the
boundary to bring up the Indian 100, in none too impressive
fashion
37.5 Styris to Srinath, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, firmly
drives straight up to Mills at mid off
37.6 Styris to Srinath, FOUR, Srinath gets away with this one, good
shortish ball on off stump, doesn't climb like some of the others,
Srinath plays away from his body and gets a thick inside edge just
past the stumps, and beating the diving McCullum, down to the
boundary again
End of over 38 (8 runs) India 107/8 (RR: 2.82)
SB Styris 9-3-23-2 - Members End
A Kumble 16* (56b 3x4) J Srinath 8* (5b 2x4)
38.1 Tuffey to Kumble, FOUR, full and a bit wide outside off stump,
Kumble plays a slashing square drive through backward point, Adams
slides around from third man but can't quite stop it inside the
boundary line, India pass the danger mark of 108
38.2 Tuffey to Kumble, no run, back of a length ball seaming back in
from outside off stump, defends from the crease, inside edges into
the pad, drops down in close on the leg side
38.3 Tuffey to Kumble, no run, short lifting ball outside off stump,
cuts hard into the ground, straight to Styris at backward point on
the bounce
38.4 Tuffey to Kumble, no run, full outside off stump, drives but
mistimes it into the turf, trickles away up to Vettori at mid off
38.5 Tuffey to Kumble, no run, very full ball angling in on off stump,
Kumble looks to drive again but misplays it, inside edging it into
his toe, and that hurt a bit too! rebounds away into the covers
38.6 Tuffey to Kumble, no run, short lifting straight ball, jumps on the
crease to defend back down the pitch to the bowler, Tuffey
completes his 10 overs
End of over 39 (4 runs) India 111/8 (RR: 2.85)
DR Tuffey 10-1-26-2 (3w 1nb) - City End
J Srinath 8* (5b 2x4) A Kumble 20* (62b 4x4)
39.1 Styris to Srinath, no run, fullish, straight ball, Srinath shuffles
across the crease to get in behind it, playing a strange mini
scoop shot, up towards Vincent at mid on, but never anywhere near
danger of being caught
39.2 Styris to Srinath, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
stands tall on the crease, easing it down to Harris at point in
defence
39.3 Styris to Srinath, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, Srinath
plays with a straight bat, quietly pushing it along the turf up to
Vincent at mid on
39.4 Styris to Srinath, no run, shortish ball angling in on the stumps,
Srinath gets in a tangle as it cuts back in, taking him high on
the pad and bouncing away at his feet
39.5 Styris to Srinath, no run, good length ball angling in from just
outside off stump, watchfully defends from the crease, playing it
back on the leg side of the pitch
39.6 Styris to Srinath, no run, very similar ball just outside off
stump, watchfully over it in defence, plays away towards midwicket
End of over 40 (maiden) India 111/8 (RR: 2.78)
SB Styris 10-4-23-2 - Members End
A Kumble 20* (62b 4x4) J Srinath 8* (11b 2x4)
Adams returns, replacing Tuffey at the City End
40.1 Adams to Kumble, no run, short rising ball outside off stump, chops
it down into the ground to Styris at backward point
40.2 Adams to Kumble, one run, short rising ball outside off stump,
uppercuts it over backward point this time, down to Tuffey at
third man on the bounce
40.3 Adams to Srinath, no run, short lifting ball on off stump, stands
tall on the crease to defend with a dead bat back down the pitch
40.4 Adams to Srinath, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, Srinath
tries to slash it square but plays well over the top of it,
through to the keeper
40.5 Adams to Srinath, legbye: one run, shortish lifting ball seaming
back into the body, drops it away off the hip just behind square
on the leg side, quick run taken as it falls into space
40.6 Adams to Kumble, no run, shortish lifting ball just outside off
stump, cuts and misses, playing over the top of it, far too close
to the body
End of over 41 (2 runs) India 113/8 (RR: 2.76)
AR Adams 7-2-19-2 (1w) - City End
J Srinath 8* (14b 2x4) A Kumble 21* (65b 4x4)
Vettori returns, replacing Styris at the Members End
41.1 Vettori to Srinath, no run, flighted up full outside off stump,
watchfully nudges it away to Harris at point
41.2 Vettori to Srinath, FOUR, shot! comes down the track to meet a
flighted ball on the half volley, strongly forces it straight down
the ground on the leg side, leaves a sprawling Tuffey at mid on
for dead
41.3 Vettori to Srinath, no run, a little flatter just outside off
stump, eases it away to Harris at point in defence
41.4 Vettori to Srinath, no run, pushed through much fuller on off
stump, stretches forward, covering up with bat/pad in defence
41.5 Vettori to Srinath, no run, flighted up full and straight, firmly
drives back on the leg side of the pitch, Vettori darts across to
field himself
41.6 Vettori to Srinath, no run, floated up full on off stump, turns it
away off his toes straight to Styris at midwicket
End of over 42 (4 runs) India 117/8 (RR: 2.79)
DL Vettori 5-0-15-0 - Members End
A Kumble 21* (65b 4x4) J Srinath 12* (20b 3x4)
42.1 Adams to Kumble, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump, this
time it doesn't bounce anywhere near as high as expected and has
Kumble playing in rather ungainly fashion from the crease, trying
to negotiate it, misses through to the keeper
42.2 Adams to Kumble, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump, cuts
and misses, through to the keeper
42.3 Adams to Kumble, no run, shortish, straight ball, stands tall on
the crease to defend down in close on the leg side of the pitch
42.4 Adams to Kumble, no run, digs in a very short, straight ball, jumps
on the crease to defend it down in close on the off side
42.5 Adams to Kumble, OUT: shortish lifting ball just outside off stump,
tries to run it down to third man but slices it too much, sharp
catch taken by Fleming at slip above his head
India 117/9, Partnership of 18
A Kumble c Fleming b Adams 21 (70b 4x4 0x6)
J Srinath 12* (20b 3x4) AR Adams 7.5-2-19-3 (1w)
last man to the crease Ashish Nehra walks in
42.6 Adams to Nehra, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, shoulders
arms through to the keeper
End of over 43 (maiden) India 117/9 (RR: 2.72)
AR Adams 8-3-19-3 (1w) - City End
J Srinath 12* (20b 3x4) A Nehra 0* (1b)
43.1 Vettori to Srinath, one run, flighted up full outside off stump,
heaved over wide midwicket, Tuffey slides around to field very
well from long on, keeps them to just a single in the end
43.2 Vettori to Nehra, one run, flighted up on off stump, Nehra reaches
forward and wristily turns it away through forward square leg,
plenty of space in the infield on the leg side to work singles,
gets off the mark
43.3 Vettori to Srinath, no run, pushed through very full just outside
off stump, digs it out to Vincent at extra cover
43.4 Vettori to Srinath, no run, quicker ball pushed through on the
pads, drops down in close on the leg side
43.5 Vettori to Srinath, one run, flighted up full outside off stump,
driven firmly along the ground down to Mills at long off, just
past the diving Vincent inside the circle
43.6 Vettori to Nehra, no run, floats up a much slower ball just outside
off stump, props well forward in defence, turns past the outside
edge, McCullum doesn't manage to take it cleanly, also a little
deceived by the bounce
End of over 44 (3 runs) India 120/9 (RR: 2.73)
DL Vettori 6-0-18-0 - Members End
J Srinath 14* (24b 3x4) A Nehra 1* (3b)
44.1 Adams to Srinath, one run, digs in a short pitched ball on the
body, Srinath hooks but luckily for him, miscues it, so it drops
well short of Cairns out at deep backward square leg
44.2 Adams to Nehra, no run, quick and fuller outside off stump, Nehra
goes for a big cross-batted heave, missing, through to the keeper
44.3 Adams to Nehra, no run, short lifting ball just outside off stump,
Nehra dabbles but misses, through to the keeper
44.4 Adams to Nehra, one run, shortish, straight ball, turned off the
legs down to Mills at long leg
44.5 Adams to Srinath, OUT: Adams finishes it off, yorker swinging in,
takes him full on the pads, umpire Cowie quickly raises the
finger, looked to be probably hitting leg stump and India are
dismissed for 122
India 122/10, Partnership of 5
J Srinath lbw b Adams 15 (26b 3x4 0x6)
A Nehra 2* (6b) AR Adams 8.5-3-21-4 (1w)
it is the fourth time India have been dismissed for such a meagre
total this series batting first, making 108 in Auckland (first
match) and Christchurch, and 122 in Queenstown and here
once more, not a lot can be said about this batting effort, the
pitch only had a minor part to play, with the odd ball bouncing
surprisingly high or low, but seam movement was only prevalent
early with the new ball on before it settled down to be fairly
negligible thereafter
Sehwag goes from hero one day to zero the next, being their best
performer of the series with the bat, but he tended to either
spectacularly succeed or dismally fail
but then, at least he had a couple of spectacular successes - most
of the other batsmen could only talk about the latter
Yuvraj was stuck with the tail for the umpteenth time, and
performed admirably again, but there's only so much you can do in
such situations and eventually he holed out
Kumble and Srinath stuck around to at least help avoid complete and
total embarrassment, but only by a small degree
the bowlers all performed very consistently again, though the
plague of no-balls and wides were threatening them early again,
until they settled down
Tuffey was Mr Consistency as ever, and nabbing Tendulkar and Mongia
on consecutive deliveries helped cripple any attempt at a top
order success very early
Mills bowled his 10 overs straight through and kept them pegged
down, before Adams came on worked his magic on the middle to lower
order, and ends up as New Zealand's top wicket-taker in the series
with 14 at a measly 9.35 average
New Zealand will begin their chase for the 123 runs needed to win
the series by a fair margin of 5-2, at a required run rate of 2.46
per over, in just over 45 minutes time at 6:15pm local time (0515
GMT)
any comments about today's coverage so far can be sent to
comms@cricinfo.com - all feedback is greatly appreciated
Match State: Innings Break
the players return to the field after the dinner break, during
which time a mile race was run (and we can happily inform Kiwis
finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd ahead of a few Aussie competitors, Clyde
McIntosh the winner, ahead of Phil Clode, for those who are
interested!), and the lights were turned on the first time for an
ODI at this venue, with mini fireworks exploding at the top of
each tower to 'christen' them (though they have been used here for
cricket before at lower levels)
it'll be Javagal Srinath to open up from the Members End to Stephen
Fleming, with Mathew Sinclair at the non-striker's end
0.1 Srinath to Fleming, no run, boy oh boy! Fleming very lucky to still
be there after the first ball, good length ball straightening from
just outside off stump, huge shout for lbw turned down by umpire
Harper, may just not have quite straightened enough, incredibly
close call
0.2 Srinath to Fleming, no run, good length ball just angling away
outside off stump, safely left alone to the keeper
0.3 Srinath to Fleming, no run, good length ball again, rising from a
probing spot, has Fleming pushing at it but is well beaten,
through to the keeper
0.4 Srinath to Fleming, no run, quicker, shortish ball, cops it
awkwardly on the body as he tries to defend, sharp stuff from
Srinath, as ever impressive this series
0.5 Srinath to Fleming, no run, ouch! Fleming in real trouble against
Srinath this over, squared around in defence and takes one high on
the leg, that hurt Fleming a fair bit!
while Srinath optimistically appeals for lbw (rather high, and
pitched outside leg), Fleming falls to the ground, in some pain,
before suddenly quickly springing back up again, grinning and
bearing it
0.6 Srinath to Fleming, no run, shortish ball straightens on Fleming on
a line of leg stump, taken high on the leg again, drops down in
close on the off side, looking for a quick single but it's not on
End of over 1 (maiden) New Zealand 0/0 (RR: 0.00 RRR: 123/49 = 2.51)
J Srinath 1-1-0-0 - Members End
MS Sinclair 0* (0b) SP Fleming 0* (6b)
excellent opening over from Srinath, Fleming had very little clue
about him
Zaheer Khan to open the bowling from the City End
1.1 Khan to Sinclair, no run, and he too is on the mark immediately,
tucks Sinclair up nicely as Srinath did Fleming, taken high on the
leg as he walks about the crease, drops down in close on the leg
side
1.2 Khan to Sinclair, three runs, overpitched outside off stump,
Sinclair plays a sweet straight drive past the bowler on the off
side, though somewhat fortunately as it rebounded off the front
pad on to the face of the bat, Ganguly chases it down from mid
off, as Sinclair sprints back for a hard third, but the throw is
well wide at the bowler's end
1.3 Khan to Fleming, one run, shortish ball seaming in to the body,
taps it down in close square on the leg side, very quick single
taken to get off the mark, as the infielder at midwicket is a bit
deep to prevent it
1.4 Khan to Sinclair, legbye: one run, shortish ball angling into the
body, deflects it off the hip down to Srinath at fine leg
1.5 Khan to Fleming, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
leaves alone through to the keeper
1.6 Khan to Fleming, no run, a bit fuller and a bit wider, leaves well
alone through to the keeper again
End of over 2 (5 runs) New Zealand 5/0 (RR: 2.50 RRR: 118/48 = 2.46)
Z Khan 1-0-4-0 - City End
MS Sinclair 3* (3b) SP Fleming 1* (9b)
2.1 Srinath to Sinclair, OUT: Srinath does it again, the leading wicket
taker from either side in the series, using his famous angle in
from wide on the crease, Sinclair leaves a gaping hole between bat
and pad and the sticks are cleaned up
New Zealand 5/1, Partnership of 5
MS Sinclair b Srinath 3 (4b 0x4 0x6)
SP Fleming 1* (9b) J Srinath 1.1-1-0-1
a little surprisingly it's Brendon McCullum coming out to bat at No
3, after it had earlier been slated that Harris would bat there,
and they preferred to keep McCullum well down the order to
concentrate on his keeping
2.2 Srinath to McCullum, no run, boy oh boy! all sorts happening here,
Srinath beats McCullum with a cracker first up, appeal for caught
behind is ignored initially,the noise was bat flicking pad, but
then belatedly umpire Harper touches the brim of his hat! confuses
(and scares) all
and sundry at the ground for a moment!
2.3 Srinath to McCullum, FOUR, shot! overpitched outside off stump,
McCullum plays a cracking cover drive, smacked hard into the turf
and bounces away furiously to the boundary hoardings
2.4 Srinath to McCullum, no run, good shortish ball just outside off
stump, leaves alone to the keeper
2.5 Srinath to McCullum, no run, similar again, a little wider outside
off stump, left to the keeper
2.6 Srinath to McCullum, no run, fuller ball angling in from outside
off stump, stretches well forward to it, taken on the front pad
and there's a brief, hopeful, shout for lbw, struck well outside
the line and forward, ball rebounds back to the bowler, who fields
it, then appeals
End of over 3 (4 runs) New Zealand 9/1 (RR: 3.00 RRR: 114/47 = 2.43)
J Srinath 2-1-4-1 - Members End
SP Fleming 1* (9b) BB McCullum 4* (5b 1x4)
3.1 Khan to Fleming, three runs, overpitches on the toes, strongly
driven away through wide midwicket, not with perfect timing but
enforces a lengthy chase for Yuvraj and Ganguly from the covers, a
good throw back to the bowler's end has Fleming sprawling home for
a third, but safe
enough in the end
3.2 Khan to McCullum, OUT: and another one goes! a typical pattern in
the series continues, the top order stumbling all over themselves
to get off the park as quickly as possible, McCullum is beaten for
pace by a fullish ball straightening on him, rapped on the pad
New Zealand 12/2, Partnership of 7
BB McCullum lbw b Khan 4 (6b 1x4 0x6)
SP Fleming 4* (10b) Z Khan 1.2-0-7-1
and umpire Cowie is quick to raise the finger
Chris Cairns the new batsman
3.3 Khan to Cairns, no run, good length ball angling on off stump,
Cairns pushes forward, gets a streaky inside edge, into the front
pad, rebounds out into the covers
3.4 Khan to Cairns, no run, shortish ball angling on leg stump, taken
on the pad and drops down to Kumble at square leg
3.5 Khan to Cairns, no run, beaten! plenty of movement with the new
ball out there, and Khan is using it to great effect, fullish ball
outside off stump and straightens off the seam, just beats the
stumps and easily beats Cairns, playing away from his body with
little clue early on
3.6 Khan to Cairns, three runs, Cairns comes back with a good stroke
though, full outside off stump and punches it well through the
covers, is just overhauled inside the boundary as they saunter
back for a third comfortably
End of over 4 (6 runs) New Zealand 15/2 (RR: 3.75 RRR: 108/46 = 2.35)
Z Khan 2-0-10-1 - City End
CL Cairns 3* (4b) SP Fleming 4* (10b)
4.1 Srinath to Cairns, no run, good length rising ball outside off
stump, but a little too wide to require Cairns to play at it,
shoulders arms to the keeper
4.2 Srinath to Cairns, one run, Cairns looks to take the game to
Srinath, trying to crash a fair length ball outside off stump
through the covers, gets a streaky inside edge, dragging it across
to vacant midwicket for a quick single
4.3 Srinath to Fleming, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump,
stretches well forward, solidly defending straight to Ganguly at
cover
4.4 Srinath to Fleming, no run, shortish ball on off stump, defends
from the crease, firmly playing it down towards Ganguly hovering
in the covers again
4.5 Srinath to Fleming, no run, shortish ball on off stump, stands tall
on the crease, steering it off the face to Yuvraj at backward
point
Srinath switches to come around the wicket to the left-handed
Fleming for the final ball of the over
4.6 Srinath to Fleming, wide: one run, short ball angling down the leg
side, Fleming tries to flick it fine but misses out, Dravid falls
to his right but can only partially glove it, deflects down to
fine leg, two free runs given away
4.6 Srinath to Cairns, FOUR, shot! Srinath pitches it up rather full,
Cairns pushes strongly through the line of it, no great effort,
all natural power and timing, races past the bowler and the
chasing mid on man, to the boundary
End of over 5 (7 runs) New Zealand 22/2 (RR: 4.40 RRR: 101/45 = 2.24)
J Srinath 3-1-11-1 (1w) - Members End
SP Fleming 4* (13b) CL Cairns 8* (7b 1x4)
5.1 Khan to Fleming, two runs, Fleming plays a curious pick-up shot
over wide midwicket, doesn't end up where he intended, which was
much squarer, playing a little inside out as it doesn't quite
arrive as he expected, but it safely loops wide and clear of Nehra
at mid on
5.2 Khan to Fleming, no run, good ball! sharply rising from a back of a
length, Fleming shuffles across to it before just whipping the bat
inside the line in time, well bowled
5.3 Khan to Fleming, FOUR, shot! strays to the legs and is punished,
Fleming turns it away through backward square leg, too well timed
for Tendulkar to cut it off from fine leg
5.4 Khan to Fleming, one run, shorter ball outside off stump, Fleming
guides it down through vacant gully to Srinath at third man
5.5 Khan to Cairns, one run, fullish ball outside off stump, stands
tall and powerfully punches it into the turf, bounces up towards
wide mid off, enabling a quick single to be run with the shot as
Ganguly is across to field
5.6 Khan to Fleming, no run, short rising ball outside off stump,
raises the arms up high to leave alone to the keeper
End of over 6 (8 runs) New Zealand 30/2 (RR: 5.00 RRR: 93/44 = 2.11)
Z Khan 3-0-18-1 - City End
CL Cairns 9* (8b 1x4) SP Fleming 11* (18b 1x4)
6.1 Srinath to Cairns, no run, good length ball outside off stump,
Cairns stands tall and strongly drives straight up to Kumble at
mid off
6.2 Srinath to Cairns, no run, good bouncer! targeted well on off
stump, Cairns shapes to play at it but ducks underneath it at the
last minute, that's his one bouncer allowed for the over signals
the umpire
6.3 Srinath to Cairns, two runs, fullish ball outside off stump, tries
to smack it through the covers but settles for a slightly less
cultured two as it squirts out a bit inside edgily towards vacant
wide midwicket
6.4 Srinath to Cairns, OUT: Srinath nails his man again, through the
gate and Cairns is dismissed in identical fashion in all three of
his innings this series, cutting back off the seam and using the
natural angle in to the right-hander from wide on the crease
New Zealand 32/3, Partnership of 20
CL Cairns b Srinath 11 (12b 1x4 0x6)
SP Fleming 11* (18b 1x4) J Srinath 3.4-1-13-2 (1w)
Srinath moves to 299 ODI wickets, hoping to become the 5th player
to reach that milestone - and the third to do so within the space
of a couple of months
Scott Styris the new batsman
6.5 Srinath to Styris, no run, and yet another fine first-up ball to a
new batsman from Srinath, beats him all ends up from a perfect
length and angle outside off stump
6.6 Srinath to Styris, one run, fuller and straighter, Styris is able
to nudge it away towards wide mid on for a quick single with the
shot
End of over 7 (3 runs) New Zealand 33/3 (RR: 4.71 RRR: 90/43 = 2.09)
J Srinath 4-1-14-2 (1w) - Members End
SB Styris 1* (2b) SP Fleming 11* (18b 1x4)
7.1 Khan to Styris, no run, back of a length ball angling across the
right-hander outside off stump, leans well forward to shoulder
arms to the keeper
7.2 Khan to Styris, wide: no run, strays down the leg side and Dravid
has to dive away to his left to take it
7.2 Khan to Styris, no run, good length ball probing outside off stump,
again leans well forward to shoulder arms to the keeper
7.3 Khan to Styris, legbye: two runs, full and angling into the legs,
glanced off the pads fairly fine, Srinath around from long leg to
field, they sprint back for a tight second, but comfortably home
in the end as the throw goes astray
7.4 Khan to Styris, no run, shortish lifting ball angling across the
right-hander outside off stump, raises the arms up high to leave
to the keeper
7.5 Khan to Styris, legbye: one run, good length ball swinging back in,
pitches in line and takes him high on the pad, big shout for lbw
turned down, a fair shout, maybe just doing a bit too much in the
end, deflects down to third man for a leg bye in the meantime
7.6 Khan to Fleming, wide: no run, shortish ball a bit too wide outside
off stump, leaves alone to the keeper
7.6 Khan to Fleming, one run, full and straight, squeezes it from the
toes out to vacant midwicket for an easy single
End of over 8 (6 runs) New Zealand 39/3 (RR: 4.88 RRR: 84/42 = 2.00)
Z Khan 4-0-21-1 (2w) - City End
SP Fleming 12* (19b 1x4) SB Styris 1* (7b)
8.1 Srinath to Fleming, two runs, shortish, straight ball, tucks it
down off the legs through midwicket for an easy couple, a bit of
slapstick fielding helps the batsmen entertain thoughts of a
cheeky third but wisely they don't go
8.2 Srinath to Fleming, no run, short rising ball just outside off
stump, straightens late, shoulders arms to leave to the keeper
8.3 Srinath to Fleming, no run, good length fullish ball angling away
just outside off stump, Fleming is well forward, but withdraws the
bat late as he tries to leave it to the keeper
8.4 Srinath to Fleming, two runs, shortish ball straying to leg stump,
tucked off the hip out through vacant midwicket for another easy
two as the lone two leg side infielders both give chase
8.5 Srinath to Fleming, no run, fullish ball angling away outside off
stump, shoulders arms to the keeper
8.6 Srinath to Fleming, one run, fullish, straight ball, drives inside
edgily wide of Tendulkar at mid on, a good diving stop to his left
is made, but can't prevent a cosy single taken with the stroke
End of over 9 (5 runs) New Zealand 44/3 (RR: 4.89 RRR: 79/41 = 1.93)
J Srinath 5-1-19-2 (1w) - Members End
SP Fleming 17* (25b 1x4) SB Styris 1* (7b)
Ashish Nehra on to bowl, replacing Khan at the City End
9.1 Nehra to Fleming, no run, fullish ball on off stump, solidly
defends down to Ganguly at mid off
9.2 Nehra to Fleming, no run, shortish lifting ball on off stump,
stands tall and gets in behind it to defend into the covers again
9.3 Nehra to Fleming, two runs, shortish ball on off stump, punches it
from the crease down through straight mid on, easy couple taken as
Khan has to chase it from wider
9.4 Nehra to Fleming, FOUR, shot! a bit too full outside off stump and
Fleming plays a classy cover drive, Ganguly sprints after it from
mid off, but no hope of stopping that one, brings up the New
Zealand 50 in good time, just 58 balls
9.5 Nehra to Fleming, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
leaves alone to the keeper
9.6 Nehra to Fleming, one run, shortish ball on off stump, taps it down
just forward of point, tight quick single taken as there's a shy
at the bowler's end, was close but would've just been home had it
hit direct
End of over 10 (7 runs) New Zealand 51/3 (RR: 5.10 RRR: 72/40 = 1.80)
A Nehra 1-0-7-0 - City End
SP Fleming 24* (31b 2x4) SB Styris 1* (7b)
10.1 Srinath to Fleming, no run, good short rising ball from a back of a
length outside off stump, withdraws the bat inside the line to
leave alone to the keeper
10.2 Srinath to Fleming, no run, shuffles forward down the line of a
full, straight ball, awkwardly defending out into the covers where
Kaif fields
10.3 Srinath to Fleming, no run, beaten! super pace and bounce from a
length, Fleming whips the bat inside the line of it very late,
through to the keeper
10.4 Srinath to Fleming, no run, slightly fuller ball outside off stump,
Fleming shapes to play before lifting the arms up high, leaving to
the keeper
10.5 Srinath to Fleming, no run, Srinath defeats Fleming with another
fine delivery, this one's full and quick, rapping him on the knee
roll, stepping forward and into line, but it pitched outside leg
stump quite comfortably, so the appeal is wasted on umpire Harper
10.6 Srinath to Fleming, no run, fullish ball angling in on a similar
area, Fleming shuffles all over his crease, trying to work it to
leg but misses, drops from the pad down in close on the off side
End of over 11 (maiden) New Zealand 51/3 (RR: 4.64 RRR: 72/39 = 1.85)
J Srinath 6-2-19-2 (1w) - Members End
SB Styris 1* (7b) SP Fleming 24* (37b 2x4)
11.1 Nehra to Styris, no run, Styris has an uncultured swish and a miss
at a good length fullish ball outside off stump, played through
the line as it it wasn't going to straighten as much as it did off
the seam, through to the keeper
11.2 Nehra to Styris, FOUR, shot! Styris gets the execution right this
time, a bit fuller from Nehra and Styris smacks it down through
the covers, doesn't need to run for that one
11.3 Nehra to Styris, no run, shorter ball angling across the right-
hander outside off stump, leans forward and shoulders arms to the
keeper
11.4 Nehra to Styris, one run, short lifting ball on off stump, jumps on
the crease to defend it, drops it down into his body and falls
away in close on the off side, good quick single taken with the
shot as the infield aren't alert enough to cut it off
11.5 Nehra to Fleming, no run, good length ball just outside off stump,
Fleming pushes forward to it, playing inside the line and is well
beaten as it slightly straightens off the seam, through to the
keeper
11.6 Nehra to Fleming, no run, fullish ball which keeps a little low,
Fleming just keeps it out in time, defending up towards mid on
End of over 12 (5 runs) New Zealand 56/3 (RR: 4.67 RRR: 67/38 = 1.76)
A Nehra 2-0-12-0 - City End
SB Styris 6* (11b 1x4) SP Fleming 24* (39b 2x4)
12.1 Srinath to Styris, no run, tight fullish ball angling in on off
stump, watchfully steers it away to Yuvraj at point in defence
12.2 Srinath to Styris, no run, short lifting ball with some width
outside off stump, Styris has nothing to do with it, holding the
bat well back behind his body to leave to the keeper
12.3 Srinath to Styris, no run, oh dear! Srinath drops a sitter off his
own bowling, which would've been his 300th wicket too, has Styris
driving too soon and scoops it straight back to him, but somehow
it fails to stick, Srinath can't believe it, neither can most here
at the ground
12.4 Srinath to Styris, two runs, fullish ball on the legs, turned away
through forward square leg for a quick two as Kumble chases it
down
12.5 Srinath to Styris, no run, shortish lifting straight ball, hops on
the crease to tuck it down in close on the leg side in defence
12.6 Srinath to Styris, no run, fullish ball angling in from outside off
stump, safely able to shoulder arms through to the keeper
End of over 13 (2 runs) New Zealand 58/3 (RR: 4.46 RRR: 65/37 = 1.76)
J Srinath 7-2-21-2 (1w) - Members End
SP Fleming 24* (39b 2x4) SB Styris 8* (17b 1x4)
13.1 Nehra to Fleming, FOUR, shot! classy stuff from Fleming, shortish
ball just outside off stump, back cuts through backward point with
authority, and Srinath is left helpless just a few paces further
around the boundary to cut it off from third man
13.2 Nehra to Fleming, no run, fair length ball with some width outside
off stump, leans well forward before raising the bat to leave it
to the keeper
13.3 Nehra to Fleming, no run, shortish lifting ball on off stump,
stands tall on the crease, defending firmly up towards cover
13.4 Nehra to Fleming, no run, fullish, straight ball, leans well
forward, easing it up towards Ganguly at mid on in defence
13.5 Nehra to Fleming, no run, tight, good length ball on off stump,
gets right in behind it, watchfully defending up to Ganguly at mid
on
13.6 Nehra to Fleming, no run, fullish, straight ball, defends straight
back down the pitch to the bowler
End of over 14 (4 runs) New Zealand 62/3 (RR: 4.43 RRR: 61/36 = 1.69)
A Nehra 3-0-16-0 - City End
SB Styris 8* (17b 1x4) SP Fleming 28* (45b 3x4)
time for a drinks break, with New Zealand relatively well placed,
having advanced along at a handy clip, but the door must still be
slightly ajar, going by the fragile top order efforts from both
sides this series
Match State: Drinks
Khan returns, replacing Srinath at the Members End
14.1 Khan to Styris, no run, digs in a short ball first up to greet Mr
Styris, safely negotiates it by ducking well underneath, through
to the keeper
14.2 Khan to Styris, one run, shortish, straight ball, tapped down in
close on the leg side, tight quick single taken, Tendulkar scoots
in from mid on and has a shy at the keeper's end but is well wide
14.3 Khan to Fleming, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, leans well
forward, shouldering arms through to the keeper
14.4 Khan to Fleming, (noball) two runs, oversteps, shortish, straight
ball, strongly punched down the ground back past the bowler,
Ganguly chases it down from mid on
14.4 Khan to Fleming, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
powerfully cuts down into the turf, bouncing up to Yuvraj at point
14.5 Khan to Fleming, no run, shortish lifting ball on off stump, stands
tall to force it down into the covers to Kaif
14.6 Khan to Fleming, no run, full and straying to leg stump, strongly
clipped away but can't get it past Kumble falling to his left at
square leg
End of over 15 (4 runs) New Zealand 66/3 (RR: 4.40 RRR: 57/35 = 1.63)
Z Khan 5-0-25-1 (2w 1nb) - Members End
SB Styris 9* (19b 1x4) SP Fleming 30* (50b 3x4)
Anil Kumble on to bowl, replacing Nehra after just three overs at
the City End
slip, short third man, deep backward point, cover, wide mid off,
mid on, midwicket, short leg and deep backward square leg in place
15.1 Kumble to Styris, no run, props well forward to cover up in defence
to a fullish ball just outside off stump, drops it at his feet
15.2 Kumble to Styris, no run, beaten! Styris is forward and loosely
fishes outside off stump at a similar but slightly wider ball,
Dravid whips off the bails for effect alone
15.3 Kumble to Styris, one run, Styris innovates with a slightly
ungainly looking paddle to a fullish ball on off stump, scooping
it away through fine leg, Khan in from the deep down there to
field
15.4 Kumble to Fleming, no run, fullish ball on off stump, stretches
well forward, quietly defending down in close on the off side
15.5 Kumble to Fleming, no run, shorter, straight ball, watchfully
defends back down the pitch to the bowler
15.6 Kumble to Fleming, no run, goes right back and in behind a flat
ball on off stump, defending back down the pitch with a straight
bat
End of over 16 (1 run) New Zealand 67/3 (RR: 4.19 RRR: 56/34 = 1.65)
A Kumble 1-0-1-0 - City End
SB Styris 10* (22b 1x4) SP Fleming 30* (53b 3x4)
Nehra switches ends, replacing Khan after just one over at the
Members End
16.1 Nehra to Styris, no run, fullish ball on off stump, watchfully in
behind it, firmly pushes it away to Kaif hovering at extra cover
16.2 Nehra to Styris, one run, fullish ball straying on to the legs,
easily turned away along the ground down to Kumble at fine leg
16.3 Nehra to Fleming, no run, fullish ball outside off stump has
Fleming playing all over the top of it, just nipping back enough
to have him playing the wrong line, beats the inside edge through
to the keeper
16.4 Nehra to Fleming, no run, slightly shorter ball angling in from
outside off stump, stretches well forward to shoulder arms, passes
high and just wide of off stump through to the keeper
16.5 Nehra to Fleming, no run, very similar again, just a little wider
outside off stump, happily leaves alone to the keeper again
16.6 Nehra to Fleming, no run, full and wide outside off stump,
stretches well forward and leaves alone to the keeper yet again
End of over 17 (1 run) New Zealand 68/3 (RR: 4.00 RRR: 55/33 = 1.67)
A Nehra 4-0-17-0 - Members End
SB Styris 11* (24b 1x4) SP Fleming 30* (57b 3x4)
17.1 Kumble to Styris, one run, flighted up very full on off stump,
leans the bat on it, squeezing it away through vacant point for an
easy single
17.2 Kumble to Fleming, one run, flighted up full outside off stump,
strongly driven through wide mid off, good partial stop made by
sub fielder Agarkar sliding away to his right there on the circle
edge, keeps it to just one
17.3 Kumble to Styris, no run, leans well forward to defend a flat,
straight ball down in close on the leg side
17.4 Kumble to Styris, no run, angling in on the pads, drops down in
close to the man under the helmet
17.5 Kumble to Styris, one run, floated up full outside off stump, eases
it away to vacant point for another easy single, Kaif across to
field from cover
17.6 Kumble to Fleming, no run, flat ball on off stump, Fleming goes
right back in the crease and plays a neat little late dab, but
straight to Yuvraj at short third man
End of over 18 (3 runs) New Zealand 71/3 (RR: 3.94 RRR: 52/32 = 1.62)
A Kumble 2-0-4-0 - City End
SB Styris 13* (28b 1x4) SP Fleming 31* (59b 3x4)
18.1 Nehra to Styris, no run, full outside off stump, firmly driven
straight to Kaif in the covers
18.2 Nehra to Styris, one run, shortish, straight ball, firmly nudged up
towards wide mid on, quick single taken with the shot as Tendulkar
scoots in to field, flings it at the bowler's end but misses, was
pretty safe anyway
18.3 Nehra to Fleming, FOUR, shot! short and a bit wide outside off
stump, Fleming play an aerial but pretty safe back cut through
backward point, scorches across the outfield to leave third man
gasping and unable to stop it
18.4 Nehra to Fleming, two runs, shortish rising ball outside off stump,
Fleming plays very aerially, uppercutting over gully, lands wide
of Kumble running around the boundary at third man, palms it down
to keep it inside the boundary line, Fleming races back for a
tight second,
beating a good return back to Dravid standing over the stumps
18.5 Nehra to Fleming, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
shoulders arms to the keeper
18.6 Nehra to Fleming, FOUR, and another cracking shot! a bit full
outside off stump, Fleming is seeing the ball well, plays a
cracking cover drive, the infield are left stationary as the ball
rockets through to the boundary
End of over 19 (11 runs) New Zealand 82/3 (RR: 4.32 RRR: 41/31 = 1.32)
A Nehra 5-0-28-0 - Members End
SB Styris 14* (30b 1x4) SP Fleming 41* (63b 5x4)
brings up the 50 partnership between these two in 75 balls
Khan returns, replacing Kumble at the City End, it has got to the
point of last throw of the dice for Ganguly
New Zealand needing just a further 41 to win in 31 overs, with 7
wickets in hand
19.1 Khan to Styris, no run, Styris goes after him straight away, big
swing and a miss, trying to drive a good length ball outside off
stump
19.2 Khan to Styris, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, leaves
alone to the keeper
19.3 Khan to Styris, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, taps it
down towards Kaif at cover
19.4 Khan to Styris, one run, shortish ball on leg stump, jumps on the
crease to play it down off the body, down to Srinath at fine leg
19.5 Khan to Fleming, one run, short rising ball outside off stump,
stands tall to get over the top of it, steering it down through
backward point, Srinath around from third man to field in the deep
19.6 Khan to Styris, no run, tight shortish rising ball on off stump,
cramps Styris right up, jumps on the crease to play it down into
the pitch in front of him
End of over 20 (2 runs) New Zealand 84/3 (RR: 4.20 RRR: 39/30 = 1.30)
Z Khan 6-0-27-1 (2w 1nb) - City End
SP Fleming 42* (64b 5x4) SB Styris 15* (35b 1x4)
Ganguly rings the changes, bringing himself on after a couple of
overs from Nehra at the Members End
20.1 Ganguly to Fleming, FOUR, shot! Fleming doesn't need a sighter,
sees a shortish ball, rocks back in the crease and picks it up
over wide midwicket, easy as you please!
20.2 Ganguly to Fleming, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, firmly
driven straight up to Tendulkar at mid off
20.3 Ganguly to Fleming, no run, floats up a slower, full ball outside
off stump, drives uppishly towards Tendulkar at mid off again,
bouncing well short of the fielder
20.4 Ganguly to Fleming, no run, full and straight, turned off the legs
straight to midwicket
20.5 Ganguly to Fleming, no run, similar again, full and straight,
Fleming sweetly turns it off his legs straight to Mongia at
midwicket
20.6 Ganguly to Fleming, one run, fullish ball outside off stump, opens
the blade and runs it off the face along the ground down to third
man
End of over 21 (5 runs) New Zealand 89/3 (RR: 4.24 RRR: 34/29 = 1.17)
SC Ganguly 1-0-5-0 - Members End
SP Fleming 47* (70b 6x4) SB Styris 15* (35b 1x4)
21.1 Khan to Fleming, no run, short and a bit wide outside off stump,
Fleming flashes at it but misses, through to the keeper
21.2 Khan to Fleming, no run, shortish ball on off stump, stands tall on
the crease, watchfully defending back to the bowler
21.3 Khan to Fleming, no run, bouncer! digs it in nice and short,
Fleming ducks underneath it, through to the keeper, doesn't seem
to have been short enough to count as the one allowed for the over
21.4 Khan to Fleming, no run, fair length ball moving away just outside
off stump, leaves alone through to the keeper
21.5 Khan to Fleming, no run, full and straight, sweetly driven along
the ground straight up to Ganguly at mid on, who then underarms it
at the bowler's end but misses, though Styris had just regained
his crease by that time
21.6 Khan to Fleming, no run, shortish ball on off stump, stands tall on
the crease, defending up towards mid off
End of over 22 (maiden) New Zealand 89/3 (RR: 4.05 RRR: 34/28 = 1.21)
Z Khan 7-1-27-1 (2w 1nb) - City End
SB Styris 15* (35b 1x4) SP Fleming 47* (76b 6x4)
22.1 Ganguly to Styris, no run, full and straight, props well forward,
defending firmly straight back to the bowler
22.2 Ganguly to Styris, no run, shortish ball with a bit of extra bounce
outside off stump, Styris dabbles at it but misses, a polite
enquiry for caught behind by the keeper and bowler, Styris missed
by a mile however, umpire Harper is unswayed
22.3 Ganguly to Styris, no run, shortish, straight ball, forced off the
back foot back past the bowler, but mid off and mid on converge
quickly enough to put doubt in the batsmens' minds, and they don't
attempt a single
22.4 Ganguly to Styris, no run, slower, fullish ball outside off stump,
leans forward and eases it gently straight to Kaif at cover
22.5 Ganguly to Styris, FOUR, shot! wonderful execution and timing from
Styris, stands back to a shorter ball and drives off the back foot
through extra cover, there's a sweeper out there in the form of
Mongia, but he's much to square to stop that one
22.6 Ganguly to Styris, no run, fullish ball on off stump, wristily
turns it away to Kumble at midwicket
End of over 23 (4 runs) New Zealand 93/3 (RR: 4.04 RRR: 30/27 = 1.11)
SC Ganguly 2-0-9-0 - Members End
SP Fleming 47* (76b 6x4) SB Styris 19* (41b 2x4)
23.1 Khan to Fleming, no run, beaten! lovely back of a length ball
rising just outside off stump, Fleming withdraws the bat inside
the line a little late, through to the keeper
23.2 Khan to Fleming, no run, full and angling down the leg side, tries
to flick it away fine but misses out, deflects off the pad and
Dravid gloves it very well diving to his right
23.3 Khan to Fleming, no run, wide, fullish ball outside off stump,
leaves it well alone to the keeper
23.4 Khan to Fleming, no run, full and straight, firmly drives but
straight up to Ganguly at mid on
23.5 Khan to Fleming, no run, short rising ball just outside off stump,
withdraws the bat inside the line to leave to the keeper, 11 balls
stuck on 47 now is Fleming
23.6 Khan to Fleming, no run, short rising ball on off stump, jumps on
the crease to defend it, pops away in the air on the off side, but
falls well short of any infielder
End of over 24 (maiden) New Zealand 93/3 (RR: 3.88 RRR: 30/26 = 1.15)
Z Khan 8-2-27-1 (2w 1nb) - City End
SB Styris 19* (41b 2x4) SP Fleming 47* (82b 6x4)
that's consecutive maidens by Khan faced out by Fleming
Srinath returns, replacing Ganguly at the Members End
Ganguly changes his mind however, and decides to bring back Kumble
instead, after Srinath has marked out his run-up
24.1 Kumble to Styris, no run, good length ball angling in on off stump,
firmly forced off the back foot into the covers, where Kaif makes
a fine tumbling stop
24.2 Kumble to Styris, FOUR, shorter ball outside off stump, Styris
slices a forcing shot down through gully, and there's no third man
in place, just a man a bit squarer inside the circle behind point,
so it races to the boundary
24.3 Kumble to Styris, no run, full outside off stump, strongly drives
into the covers, but again can't get it past a very athletic Kaif
diving to his right to stop it
24.4 Kumble to Styris, one run, full and drifting down the leg side,
helps it on its way down to Khan at fine leg
24.5 Kumble to Fleming, wide: no run, flighted full down the leg side,
tries to turn it away fine but misses, drops at his feet from
Dravid's pads
24.5 Kumble to Fleming, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, cut
out to deep point, finally off 47 after 13 balls, and brings up
the New Zealand 100 from 150 balls, going at a very steady pace
24.6 Kumble to Styris, no run, shortish, straight ball, defends down in
close on the leg side of the pitch
End of over 25 (7 runs) New Zealand 100/3 (RR: 4.00 RRR: 23/25 = 0.92)
A Kumble 3-0-11-0 (1w) - Members End
SP Fleming 48* (83b 6x4) SB Styris 24* (46b 3x4)
25.1 Khan to Fleming, wide: no run, digs it in very short outside off
stump, Fleming sways back out of the way to leave it well alone,
swung a bit wide late and is called by umpire Cowie
25.1 Khan to Fleming, one run, fullish ball angling into the legs, gets
a little bit of bat on to it as it drops from his body in close
square on the leg side for an easy quick single with the field a
little more scattered now
25.2 Khan to Styris, legbye: one run, short ball angling on leg stump,
turns it away off the thigh pad down to Srinath at fine leg
25.3 Khan to Fleming, FOUR, shortish ball outside off stump, strongly
punches it down through the covers, no sweeper out there and that
goes all the way to bring up Fleming's 50 from 85 balls, 7x4, just
the 4th 50 by a New Zealand batsman in the series
25.4 Khan to Fleming, one run, fullish ball straying to leg stump,
turned away down to Tendulkar at fine leg
25.5 Khan to Styris, no run, Khan switches to come around the wicket to
the right-hander, shortish ball angling in on off stump, gets
right in behind it, defending back to the bowler with a straight
bat
25.6 Khan to Styris, FOUR, smart shot from Styris, helps to usher this
match to a quick conclusion, short rising ball outside off stump,
uses the bounce and steers a thick edge high and wide of second
slip, but plenty fine enough to leave Tendulkar stranded wider at
third man
End of over 26 (12 runs) New Zealand 112/3 (RR: 4.31 RRR: 11/24 = 0.46)
Z Khan 9-2-38-1 (3w 1nb) - City End
SP Fleming 54* (86b 7x4) SB Styris 28* (49b 4x4)
just 11 needed for victory and 24 overs in which to get them
Srinath returns, replacing Kumble at the Members End, a late token
bid to fight this one out by Ganguly
26.1 Srinath to Fleming, legbye: one run, shortish ball angling on leg
stump, turned off the thigh pad down to fine leg
26.2 Srinath to Styris, one run, tight shortish ball on off stump, dabs
it down in close square on the off side, a very smart quick single
is taken, point darts in to field but holds on to the ball as the
batsmen are well home
26.3 Srinath to Fleming, two runs, short rising ball, Fleming unveils a
strange hook, swatting it high over midwicket, not quite what he
wanted, but there's no man in the deep so it pitches safely inside
the boundary before being overhauled
26.4 Srinath to Fleming, no run, full outside off stump, strongly drives
along the ground straight up to Tendulkar at mid off
26.5 Srinath to Fleming, no run, fullish ball angling away outside off
stump, shoulders arms through to the keeper
26.6 Srinath to Fleming, no run, full on the legs, firmly clipped away
straight to Kumble at midwicket
End of over 27 (4 runs) New Zealand 116/3 (RR: 4.30 RRR: 7/23 = 0.30)
J Srinath 8-2-24-2 (1w) - Members End
SB Styris 29* (50b 4x4) SP Fleming 56* (91b 7x4)
Kumble returns, replacing Khan at the City End, for what might
possibly be the last over of the tour, with just 7 runs required
by New Zealand now
27.1 Kumble to Styris, no run, tight, fullish, straight ball, plays it
down to Ganguly at midwicket
27.2 Kumble to Styris, no run, floated up full and straight, leans
forward and watchfully strokes it up to mid on
27.3 Kumble to Styris, OUT: Styris however can't see it out to the end
on his home ground, done by a very good Kumble slider that looked
to spin away but just shot straight on, kept a bit low and he's
cleaned up well and truly
New Zealand 116/4, Partnership of 84
SB Styris b Kumble 29 (53b 4x4 0x6)
SP Fleming 56* (91b 7x4) A Kumble 3.3-0-11-1 (1w)
Lou Vincent comes out to bat
27.4 Kumble to Vincent, no run, props forward in defence to a quick,
full ball, huge appeal for lbw from all in close, rebounds away to
cover as umpire Cowie turns it down, just struck outside the line
of off stump it seemed
27.5 Kumble to Vincent, one run, flighted up full and angling into the
legs, paddles it fine to get off the mark, one big hit required
for victory now
27.6 Kumble to Fleming, FOUR, shot! flighted up full and Fleming wants
to finish it off, doesn't quite get the leverage he wanted, but
lofts it well enough through wide mid on that he gets 4 of the 6
runs needed
End of over 28 (5 runs) New Zealand 121/4 (RR: 4.32 RRR: 2/22 = 0.09)
A Kumble 4-0-16-1 (1w) - City End
L Vincent 1* (2b) SP Fleming 60* (92b 8x4)
28.1 Srinath to Vincent, no run, fullish ball outside off stump,
stretches well forward, shouldering arms through to the keeper
28.2 Srinath to Vincent, no run, fullish ball on off stump, props well
forward, defending solidly back on the off side of the pitch
28.3 Srinath to Vincent, no run, good length ball outside off stump,
Vincent looks to drive through the covers but isn't near the pitch
of it, swish and a miss, through to the keeper
28.4 Srinath to Vincent, FOUR, and there it is, the series is over, full
outside off stump, Vincent drives it very nicely through cover,
goes all the way and New Zealand win by 6 wickets with 21.2 overs
to spare to take the series 5-2
a fair reflection of the series, which saw low total after low
total, barring the match in Napier - the only game where a side
won batting first (and scored 200+)
Fleming ends up an accomplished 60 not out, showing some maturity
in the opening role, particularly in the absence of Astle, and
played very well to hold it all together when New Zealand were
dicing with danger at 32/3
Styris gave very solid support to his senior partner when he came
to the crease at that stage, scoring 29 of an 84-run stand for the
4th wicket, before Vincent iced the cake at the end
in terms of the bowling, the Indians can't be over-analysed really,
having to defend a pitiful total for the 4th time in seven ODIs
(not to mention in both Tests too!), and couldn't really be
expected to continually make good contests of these sorts of
matches, though credit to Srinath for proving to be the most
consistent bowler of either side, even moreso than the likes of
Tuffey, mostly for his wicket-taking ability at the start of the
innings, to at least keep the games looking half competitive for
a little longer than perhaps they really were, and he never gave
up, bowling with vigour through the entire series when called upon
by Ganguly to conjure up something special on repeated occasions
and for the umpteenth time, the lights are on but "nobody's home",
as it were, with it being just past 8:30pm in the evening and the
match is already over, with still a fair amount of natural
daylight about, in a game which should've finished closer to
10pm this evening
time for the presentations now, which will include the Man of the
Match, the series trophy and the National Bank International
Cricketer of the Year award - already secured by Daryl Tuffey on a
points system before today's game
New Zealand Cricket chief executive Martin Snedden says a few
words, most of the typical thanks to the sponsors, media, fans and
teams, but also adds a noteworthy comment - mentioning that he
thought the standard of the pitches on a whole weren't up to
scratch during the series, and says that the buck stops at NZC and
they will be looking for improvements there in the future
he lauds the New Zealand players for their fine efforts during the
series, saying that the issue surrounding the pitches shouldn't
diminish their achievements in winning the Tests 2-0 and the ODIs
5-2
New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming is named Man of the match for
his innings if 60 not out, steering his side to a comfortable
victory
Indian captain Sourav Ganguly says a few words now
he says he was disappointed, but he knows 'his boys' will do well
in the future, and wishes the New Zealanders well during the World
Cup, keeps it short and sweet
emcee Gavin Larsen calls upon Fleming again to now receive the
National Bank cup for winning the ODI series, and to say a few
words
Fleming says the series was a 'war of attrition', and they did what
they needed to do to win it, and says his bowlers will go to the
World Cup with confidence, and pays credit to the Indian bowlers
who 'hunted well in packs'
but then says that only half the two sides will go there with
confidence, the other half may be a bit more nervous, thanks
Ganguly and his team for the way the series was played, in a good
spirit, and now on to the obligatory thanks to sponsors and
supporters
now it's time for Larsen to award Daryl Tuffey as the National Bank
International Cricketer of the Year, for his wonderfully
consistent performances in both the Test and ODI series, a clear
winner by points, and he receives the keys to a brand new
Hyundai Sonata car, though he'll probably never get to drive it -
such prizes always end up being sold off and going to the team
funds
that concludes the presentation ceremony, with both sides wishes
the best of luck for the World Cup in South Africa next month
India head back home for a well-earned break, after being on the
road for well over a year almost non-stop, while the home side
head back to play 5 rounds of domestic cricket before flying off
to Africa
that concludes CricInfo's coverage of the National Bank Test and
One-Day International Series, ending the international portion of
live coverage on New Zealand soil for this year, but there's still
plenty of domestic and women's action coming very soon
we hope you enjoyed today's coverage, and we bid you farewell from
Westpac Park in Hamilton
any comments about our coverage for this tour can be sent to
comms@cricinfo.com - all feedback is greatly appreciated
help@cricinfo.com
Date-stamped : 17 Jan2003 - 15:56