Match State: Match start scheduled for 6:30pm local time (0530 GMT)
welcome to Jade Stadium in Christchurch for the National Bank tour
opener, a one-off Super Max International between New Zealand and
India
it's been overcast for the entire day today, and doesn't look like
changing much this evening, but at least there's no threat of rain
for the time being (only a couple of tiny spots felt half an hour
ago)
New Zealand captain Chris Cairns has won the toss and elected to
bat first on a natural pitch surface, looks in fairly good nick
too, browned off nicely, hopefully will give good even bounce like
its portable cousins here
New Zealand named their 12 last week, with Chris Harris to act as a
specialist fielder, while India have left out Sourav Ganguly,
Rahul Dravid, Harbhajan Singh and Ashish Nehra from their touring
party for today's game
in the absence of Ganguly it will be VVS Laxman to take the reigns,
with Ajay Ratra to keep wicket, and Parthiv Patel will be the
specialist fielder
it's a reasonable crowd early on on this cool evening, a fair
number of local Indian supporters have turned out in force
the players make their way on to the ground to a solid round of
applause, it'll be Chris Nevin to take first strike to Zaheer Khan
from the Hadlee Stand End, with Nathan Astle at the non-striker's
end
0.1 Khan to Nevin, FOUR, and a handy start for Nevin! low full toss
angling away outside off stump, driven very strongly through extra
cover, has enough juice to easily make the rope, we're underway!
0.2 Khan to Nevin, FOUR, kapow! this one is fairly full and wide
outside off stump too, Nevin slashes square, slicing a big thick
edge just high and wide of third man, who is guilty of hovering
well inside the rope, bounces between him and the rope!
0.3 Khan to Nevin, one run, shortish ball angling away outside off
stump, steered straight down to third man along the ground, safely
fielded this time
slip, third man, point, cover point, extra cover, mid off, long on,
midwicket, square leg in place
0.4 Khan to Astle, wide: no run, fullish ball angling wide outside off
stump, shoulders arms through to the keeper and picks up two free
runs for the wide
0.4 Khan to Astle, no run, oooh! Astle has a big swing and a miss, good
fullish ball outside off stump, through to keeper Ratra
0.5 Khan to Astle, FOUR, and another swish, this one is a back of a
length outside off stump, Astle gets a thick edge to it, flies
high and wide of slip, and races down to the fine boundary, third
man has no hope of stopping it
0.6 Khan to Astle, no run, well bowled! Zaheer gets it right towards
the end of his over, shortish lifting ball cramps Astle up on off
stump, can only chop it down to the man hovering at short cover
End of over 1 (15 runs) New Zealand 15/0 (RR: 15.00)
Z Khan 1-0-15-0 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
CJ Nevin 9* (3b 2x4) NJ Astle 4* (3b 1x4)
the game of Max is cruel, 15 off the first over, not really a
bowler's game, one would say
Ajit Agarkar to open up from the Port Hills End, though it could be
renamed the 'cloudy end' right now, such is the impression they're
making to low levels there
1.1 Agarkar to Nevin, no run, good tight shortish ball on off stump,
opens the blade and steers it straight to Sehwag at backward point
1.2 Agarkar to Nevin, one run, jumps down the track to a similar
shortish ball, has to get over the top of it to steer it just
forward of point, running an easy single with the shot as cover is
across to field
1.3 Agarkar to Astle, legbye: one run, shortish ball angling into the
body, drops down from the thigh pad in close on the leg side just
behind square, and another easy single is ambled
1.4 Agarkar to Nevin, no run, good tight ball on off stump, Nevin again
advances but is cramped up, can only nudge it down to the man
posted smartly at short cover point
1.5 Agarkar to Nevin, two runs, shortish lifting ball outside off
stump, opens the face and runs it down towards wide third man,
able to get a second on the return as the fielder comes around
from finer
1.6 Agarkar to Nevin, SIX, goodness! Max really is a cruel game,
Agarkar digs it in short, Nevin hooks and gets a huge top edge, a
mile over the keeper's head, and lands over the fine leg boundary
next to the sightscreen!
End of over 2 (10 runs) New Zealand 25/0 (RR: 12.50)
AB Agarkar 1-0-9-0 - Port Hills End
NJ Astle 4* (4b 1x4) CJ Nevin 18* (8b 2x4 1x6)
luckily the Max zone only applies forward of the wicket, otherwise
that one would've been doubled to be a 12
2.1 Khan to Astle, no run, Astle is less subtle in his approach,
charging aggressively down the track, good length ball has him
beaten outside off stump though, big swing and a miss through to
the keeper, crowd 'oooh' at the anti-climax
2.2 Khan to Astle, one run, high full toss outside off stump, mistimes
a drive up towards wide mid off, easy single taken as the
'Maxstop' fielder Kaif comes across from much straighter, nearly
behind the bowler, to field
2.3 Khan to Nevin, no run, and another swing and a miss! good back of a
length ball outside off stump, Nevin fails to connect, looking to
bludgeon it through the covers, through to keeper Ratra
2.4 Khan to Nevin, OUT: good fullish ball angling away outside off
stump, Nevin gives himself some room, slices another big thick
outside edge, flies straight down Yohannan's throat, this time
more wisely fielding right inside the third man boundary rope
New Zealand 26/1, Partnership of 26
CJ Nevin c Yohannan b Khan 18 (10b 2x4 1x6)
NJ Astle 5* (6b 1x4) Z Khan 1.4-0-16-1 (1w)
Craig McMillan the new batsman to the crease
2.5 Khan to McMillan, FOUR, shot! shortish ball outside off stump and
McMillan finds his timing straight away, a cracking back cut has
Yohannan gasping and unable to haul it in from third man
2.6 Khan to McMillan, one run, McMillan charges, but Khan spots it,
full toss outside off stump, awkwardly sliced away towards point,
a slight misfield there allows it to sneak past Sehwag, and
concede a single
End of over 3 (6 runs) New Zealand 31/1 (RR: 10.33)
Z Khan 2-0-21-1 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
CD McMillan 5* (2b 1x4) NJ Astle 5* (6b 1x4)
a little bit of misty rain at the ground now, nothing overly
serious yet, let's hope it doesn't get any worse, the game has
only just begun!
3.1 Agarkar to McMillan, one run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
deftly opens the face to steer it straight down to third man
3.2 Agarkar to Astle, wide: no run, Astle a little uncultured early,
charges once again to a swinging ball moving away outside off
stump, never anywhere near it as he heaves and misses, but is very
fortunate to get a wide call by umpire Quested
3.2 Agarkar to Astle, no run, shortish lifting ball on off stump, hops
on the crease, only able to tap it straight down to short cover
point
Agarkar comes in to bowl but bails out at the last minute, not
happy with his run-up
3.3 Agarkar to Astle, FOUR, that's more like it from Astle, shortish
ball sits up on off stump, Astle comes up with a customary tuck
off the hip, picked up over midwicket, two bounces and away it
goes
3.4 Agarkar to Astle, FOUR, now he's into the swing of things, fullish
ball outside off stump, Astle drives strongly through the line,
wide of straight mid off, and races to the boundary for four more
3.5 Agarkar to Astle, FOUR, very much on a roll, advances down the
track again to try and counter the short of a length bowling, but
is smart enough to adjust and drive through cover instead of loft
down the ground when the length isn't there for it, fine shot
3.6 Agarkar to Astle, two runs, comes forward to a similar delivery,
this time widening the arc by deflecting it away through backward
point, more work for third man to get around to it, 17 off the
over
End of over 4 (17 runs) New Zealand 48/1 (RR: 12.00)
AB Agarkar 2-0-26-0 (1w) - Port Hills End
CD McMillan 6* (3b 1x4) NJ Astle 19* (11b 4x4)
Sanjay Bangar on to bowl in place of Khan at the Hadlee Stand End
4.1 Bangar to McMillan, no run, shortish ball on off stump, cuts
strongly but mistimes it, straight to point on the circle edge
4.2 Bangar to McMillan, legbye: FOUR, shortish ball straying down the
leg side, unable to get any bat on it, but gets the next best
thing, a healthy deflection off the pads, and Ratra has to give
chase with the gloves on, but to no avail
4.3 Bangar to McMillan, SIX, shot! down the track, picks up a half
volley outside off stump and deposits it handsomely over wide long
off, not near enough to the Max zone to see the first doubled runs
of the evening however
4.4 Bangar to McMillan, FOUR, and he goes again! almost identical
except it's a bit straighter and cramps him up more, chipped
safely over the inner circle and has enough impetus to beat two
chasing fielders to the rope
4.5 Bangar to McMillan, two runs, oh boy! shortish ball on the body,
McMillan picks it up powerfully, but skies it a little too much,
square leg and midwicket chase back after it, and nearly collide
in going for the catch, wisely both opt out and it lands safely in
the outfield
last thing India needed was two injured players in their tour
opener!
4.6 Bangar to McMillan, one run, down the track to a shortish ball
outside off stump, pulls across the line, mistiming it but drags
it away towards wide midwicket for an easy quick single with the
shot
End of over 5 (17 runs) New Zealand 65/1 (RR: 13.00)
SB Bangar 1-0-13-0 - Hadlee Stand End
CD McMillan 19* (9b 2x4 1x6) NJ Astle 19* (11b 4x4)
Tinu Yohannan on to bowl for Agarkar at the Port Hills End
5.1 Yohannan to McMillan, one run, comes down the track to a back of a
length ball outside off stump, steers it down to third man
5.2 Yohannan to Astle, FOUR, Yohannan digs it in very short, not far
off no-ball territory, but Astle counters it easily, playing a
tennis shot, pulling it down through midwicket, beating the deep
square leg man to the rope
5.3 Yohannan to Astle, (noball) no run, Yohannan oversteps, Astle
charges, swinging and missing outside off stump, through to the
keeper, no run for the no-ball but the next ball is a free hit
5.3 Yohannan to Astle, no run, very sneaky by Yohannan! he uses his one
allowable short pitched delivery in the over, digs in a bouncer,
Astle swings but can't get any bat on it, through to the keeper
and the free hit ball is a non-event! very sneaky
5.4 Yohannan to Astle, no run, good tight shortish, straight ball,
cramped up and can only play it straight down to wide midwicket
5.5 Yohannan to Astle, bye: one run, another slower ball, good mixing
up here by Yohannan, Astle is done by the change of pace once
more, they sneak through for a bye as Ratra fumbles the ball, a
direct hit can't beat McMillan home however
5.6 Yohannan to McMillan, no run, and another slower ball, has McMillan
confused, taken on the body, drops down in close on the off side,
they look for a quick run but smart fielding prevents it
End of over 6 (6 runs) New Zealand 71/1 (RR: 11.83)
T Yohannan 1-0-5-0 (1nb) - Port Hills End
NJ Astle 23* (16b 5x4) CD McMillan 20* (11b 2x4 1x6)
Murali Kartik on to bowl after just one over of Bangar at the
Hadlee Stand End
6.1 Kartik to Astle, no run, well bowled! flat and tight on off stump,
Astle can only but force it away to cover, and no single on offer
there, India fighting back now
6.2 Kartik to Astle, FOUR, Astle gets his own back next ball though,
down the track, gets it near enough to a half volley and strongly
picks it up through wide midwicket, bisecting the two outfielders
there to perfection
6.3 Kartik to Astle, MAX: SIX, first Max runs of the match, and it's a
mighty hit too, down the track, another half volley created and
sent sailing away over long on's head
6.4 Kartik to Astle, one run, flatter ball angling into the body, Astle
comes down to it, content to force it down along the ground to
long on
6.5 Kartik to McMillan, SIX, thwack! flat ball outside off stump, comes
forward and simply bludgeons it over the cover field, no man in
the deep there and it wouldn't have mattered anyway, pure power
hit, all upper body
6.6 Kartik to McMillan, no run, good full ball to end the over, yorker
length and McMillan can only force it straight back to the bowler,
but still, 23 runs coming from that over
End of over 7 (23 runs) New Zealand 94/1 (RR: 13.43)
M Kartik 1-0-23-0 - Hadlee Stand End
NJ Astle 40* (20b 6x4 1x6) CD McMillan 26* (13b 2x4 2x6)
7.1 Yohannan to Astle, one run, Yohannan charges in, but again takes
all the pace off it, Astle waits for it to finally arrive and
simply glances it straight to Tendulkar at short fine leg, single
run with the shot as Tendulkar doesn't look to throw at the stumps
7.2 Yohannan to McMillan, one run, tight shortish ball on off stump,
runs it off the open face down to third man
7.3 Yohannan to Astle, one run, advances to a full ball, swinging
almightily across it, dragging an ugly, mistimed shot along the
ground to wide midwicket
7.4 Yohannan to McMillan, one run, shortish, slower ball outside off
stump, McMillan backs away to slice a cut down to third man
7.5 Yohannan to Astle, OUT: and there ends Astle's handy contribution,
swinging across the line to a good full ball, dead straight and
middle stump is disturbed
New Zealand 98/2, Partnership of 72
NJ Astle b Yohannan 42 (23b 6x4 1x6)
CD McMillan 28* (15b 2x4 2x6) T Yohannan 1.5-0-9-1 (1nb)
Yohannan adapting to this foreign version of the game much better
than his colleagues thus far
TelstraClear Max Blacks captain Chris Cairns strides out to the
crease to a rapturous round of applause from the home crowd
7.6 Yohannan to Cairns, one run, slower ball sits up just outside off
stump, runs it off the face straight to backward point, quick
single taken, gentle shy at the bowler's end has Cairns
stretching, but it bounces well over the top anyway
End of over 8 (5 runs) New Zealand 99/2 (RR: 12.38)
T Yohannan 2-0-10-1 (1nb) - Port Hills End
CL Cairns 1* (1b) CD McMillan 28* (15b 2x4 2x6)
Sachin Tendulkar replaces Kartik at the Hadlee Stand End
8.1 Tendulkar to Cairns, SIX, take that! Cairns picks up a half tracker
and says goodnight nurse, a massive blow, pulled high over
midwicket into the new West Stand
8.2 Tendulkar to Cairns, OUT: he tries it again though, and comes off
second best, another mighty strike, but gets under it a bit much,
Sehwag nervously lines it up just inside the deep midwicket
boundary, in the end pouching it comfortably
New Zealand 105/3, Partnership of 7
CL Cairns c Sehwag b Tendulkar 7 (3b 0x4 1x6)
CD McMillan 28* (15b 2x4 2x6) SR Tendulkar 0.2-0-6-1
8.3 Tendulkar to McMillan, wide: no run, oh boy! McMillan gets out the
reverse paddle a week in advance, Tendulkar bowls it a mile wide
outside off stump, but he still chases after it anyway! no contact
made and two free runs result
8.3 Tendulkar to McMillan, two runs, shortish ball outside off stump,
no pace on it and McMillan has to do all the work, flat bats it
over extra cover, not a very strong shot, but into space for a
couple anyway
8.4 Tendulkar to McMillan, MAX: two runs, similar again, a very slow
ball sits up outside off stump, slaps it straight down the ground
on the off side, sneaks into the Max zone as Kaif is across from
wide long off to field, double the two they ran to get four
8.5 Tendulkar to McMillan, OUT: nice ball! floated up on leg stump and
turns back sharply, done for lack of pace, big swing and a miss,
and is cleaned up
New Zealand 113/4, Partnership of 8
CD McMillan b Tendulkar 34 (18b 2x4 2x6)
SB Styris 0* (0b) SR Tendulkar 0.5-0-14-2 (1w)
Jacob Oram the new batsman
8.6 Tendulkar to Oram, one run, floated up full outside off stump,
eased firmly up towards wide mid off, taking an easy single with
the stroke to retain the strike for the start of the final over
End of over 9 (15 runs) New Zealand 114/4 (RR: 12.67)
SR Tendulkar 1-0-15-2 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
JDP Oram 1* (1b) SB Styris 0* (0b)
India employ their seventh bowler for the innings, Virender Sehwag
on for Yohannan at the Port Hills End
9.1 Sehwag to Oram, legbye: one run, advances to a flat ball outside
off stump, swing and a miss, deflects off the hip to Tendulkar at
short third man for a quick run
9.2 Sehwag to Styris, one run, quick and flat, rather short and cramps
Styris up as he comes down to meet it, tucked off the hip to
midwicket for a simple single
9.3 Sehwag to Oram, MAX: two runs, fuller and straight, slapped down
the ground on the leg side, just sneaks into the Max zone as
Yohannan charges forth from wide long on to field, two doubles to
become four
9.4 Sehwag to Oram, OUT: flat, straight ball, swings across it,
mistiming it completely, dragging it straight to Laxman at
midwicket, sliding to take it smartly, not a hard catch but an
awkward take
New Zealand 120/5, Partnership of 7
JDP Oram c Laxman b Sehwag 5 (4b 0x4 0x6)
SB Styris 1* (1b) V Sehwag 0.4-0-5-1
Andre Adams the new batsman
9.5 Sehwag to Adams, two runs, flat and straight, pulled powerfully
across the line, over wide midwicket, excellent outfielding by
Kaif, sliding inside the rope, cuts it down to just two
9.6 Sehwag to Adams, one run, shortish, straight ball, pulled hard,
straight out to deep backward square leg, can only get a single
for it and there ends the first innings of this Max international
End of over 10 (9 runs) New Zealand 123/5 (RR: 12.30)
V Sehwag 1-0-8-1 - Port Hills End
AR Adams 3* (2b) SB Styris 1* (1b)
a good comeback by India after conceding 94 in the first 7 overs
and looked threatening to concede up towards 140 or more
123 is an above-average innings total, but certainly by no means
are New Zealand in a position of clear strength here, particularly
with the batting line-up India boast!
play set to resume in about 5 minutes time
Match State: Innings Break
the players return to the field, it'll be Virender Sehwag to take
first strike to Shane Bond, with Sachin Tendulkar at the non-
striker's end
0.1 Bond to Sehwag, (noball) no run, oversteps first up, though it is
rather quick anyway, shortish lifting ball just outside off stump,
hops in defence, poking it down to McCullum in the covers
0.1 Bond to Sehwag, no run, whoosh! very quick fullish ball outside off
stump, Sehwag backs away to try and smash it through the covers,
swing and a miss, almost clips off stump, through to the keeper
0.2 Bond to Sehwag, one run, shortish, straight ball angling into the
body, sweetly picked off the hip out to deep square leg
0.3 Bond to Tendulkar, FOUR, shot! the class of Tendulkar to the fore
straight away, full outside off stump, elegantly leans into it,
steering it through backward point, using all the pace of the
delivery, Adams is left gasping as he chases from fine leg
0.4 Bond to Tendulkar, wide: no run, full down the leg side, Tendulkar
hops well inside the line of it, trying to flick it away but
misses, through to the diving Nevin for a couple of free wide runs
anyway
0.4 Bond to Tendulkar, FOUR, low full toss outside off stump, easy as
pie again, driving through cover, merely a poke really, just using
the pace once more
0.5 Bond to Tendulkar, one run, shortish, straight ball, tucks it down
in close on the leg side, tight quick single taken as there's a
dive throw at the keeper's end, but misses the stumps, Sehwag was
struggling
0.6 Bond to Sehwag, FOUR, shortish rising ball outside off stump,
slashed away wide of slip, beating Adams down at third man for
pace
End of over 1 (16 runs) India 16/0 (RR: 16.00)
SE Bond 1-0-16-0 (1w 1nb) - Hadlee Stand End
SR Tendulkar 9* (3b 2x4) V Sehwag 5* (4b 1x4)
a good start for India, making a fair first of this form of the
game this early on
Jacob Oram to bowl from the Port Hills End
slip, third man, backward point, cover, mid off, mid on, midwicket,
deep backward square leg and leg gully in place
1.1 Oram to Tendulkar, no run, advances down the track to a tight
shortish ball on off stump, cramped up and chops it down to Harris
at backward point, Sehwag backs up a bit far and has to get back,
just as well as Harris fires a direct hit at the bowler's end
1.2 Oram to Tendulkar, no run, shortish lifting ball just outside off
stump, advances but is cramped up again, drags it straight back
down the track to the bowler on the bounce
1.3 Oram to Tendulkar, FOUR, shot! fullish ball outside off stump,
square drives in the air through backward point, flies wide of
Canning, bouncing once and over the rope
1.4 Oram to Tendulkar, no run, shortish lifting ball that cuts back
from outside off stump, advances but swings and misses, through to
keeper Nevin
1.5 Oram to Tendulkar, FOUR, drops it down just a little too short,
powerfully pulled over wide midwicket, nobody in the deep out
there to stop that one
1.6 Oram to Tendulkar, legbye: one run, full on the legs, tries to get
inside the line of it but gets tangled up, taken on the pad and
trickles away just behind square for a quick run
End of over 2 (9 runs) India 25/0 (RR: 12.50)
JDP Oram 1-0-8-0 - Port Hills End
SR Tendulkar 17* (9b 4x4) V Sehwag 5* (4b 1x4)
2.1 Bond to Tendulkar, legbye: one run, full and swinging in, Tendulkar
shuffles all over the crease, is well done for pace, rapped on the
pads but struck outside the line of off stump, everyone but the
bowler appeals, rebounds into the covers for an easy leg bye
2.2 Bond to Sehwag, MAX: two runs, well played! fair length, straight
ball, Sehwag stands back in behind it, simply punching it flat
through the air, down the ground on the leg side, gets into the
Max zone to double a comfortable two to four, as mid off and mid
on combine to chase
it down and fire it back
2.3 Bond to Sehwag, no run, good quick shortish lifting ball, beaten
for pace as Sehwag has a big swish and a miss outside off stump,
through to keeper Nevin
2.4 Bond to Sehwag, OUT: a fine catch! good length ball outside off
stump, not quite there to drive but Sehwag tries on the up,
squirts a huge top edge through backward point, Adams runs a fair
distance around the boundary and in from third man, to take it as
India 30/1, Partnership of 30
V Sehwag c Adams b Bond 9 (7b 1x4 0x6)
SR Tendulkar 17* (10b 4x4) SE Bond 1.4-0-20-1 (1w 1nb)
he slid to his knees
Shiv Sunder Das the new batsman, at the non-striker's end as they
crossed during the catch
2.5 Bond to Tendulkar, no run, full outside off stump, drives hard at
it but into the deck, played straight back to the bowler as he
couldn't quite free the arms up enough
2.6 Bond to Tendulkar, no run, another good tight ball on off stump,
Tendulkar looks to force it away through the covers, misplaying it
by chopping an inside edge past leg stump, through to the keeper
End of over 3 (5 runs) India 30/1 (RR: 10.00)
SE Bond 2-0-20-1 (1w 1nb) - Hadlee Stand End
SS Das 0* (0b) SR Tendulkar 17* (12b 4x4)
Tama Canning on to bowl at the Port Hills End in place of Oram
3.1 Canning to Das, one run, shortish ball sits up outside off stump,
Das content to run it off the face down to third man to get off
the mark
3.2 Canning to Tendulkar, no run, Nevin stands up to the stumps with
Tendulkar on strike, backs away outside leg stump but Canning
chases him, back of a length, plays and misses, Nevin fumbles an
awkward take
3.3 Canning to Tendulkar, no run, good yorker length ball swinging in
on off stump, cramped up and can only drive it straight back to
the bowler
3.4 Canning to Tendulkar, MAX: FOUR, but Tendulkar gets his own back,
half volley and sends it flying back past the bowler, just bounces
inside the rope, straight through the Max zone for an eight
3.5 Canning to Tendulkar, MAX: SIX, ouch! a wonderful strike from
Tendulkar, another half volley and this time it is sent sailing a
long, long way back over the bowler's head and through the Max
zone, India's first international '12'
3.6 Canning to Tendulkar, FOUR, a terrible end to Canning's opening
'international' over after a promising start, drops it in a little
shorter outside off stump and is simply dispatched through extra
cover along the carpet
End of over 4 (25 runs) India 55/1 (RR: 13.75)
TK Canning 1-0-25-0 - Port Hills End
SS Das 1* (1b) SR Tendulkar 41* (17b 6x4 1x6)
Oram back, switching ends, replacing Bond at the Hadlee Stand End
4.1 Oram to Das, one run, fullish ball just outside off stump, tries to
give himself room to drive through the covers, drags an inside
edge into the pad and away just behind square on the leg side
4.2 Oram to Tendulkar, FOUR, short rising ball outside off stump,
slices a thick edge just over the head of Astle leaping up at
slip, races to the boundary, Tendulkar approaching 50
4.3 Oram to Tendulkar, FOUR, advances down the track to a fair length
ball, swinging across it somewhat, dragging it through wide
midwicket, two men chase in despair as it beats the dive of
McMillan to the rope
4.4 Oram to Tendulkar, MAX: FOUR, ouch! Canning puts his body on the
line, as Tendulkar lofts a full ball strongly over mid off,
pitches inside the Max zone, Canning chases back after it, and
crashes into an advertising hoarding trying unsuccessfully to pull
it back
4.5 Oram to Tendulkar, FOUR, full outside off stump, powerfully square
drives in the air over backward point, enterprising stroke
4.6 Oram to Tendulkar, FOUR, too short and pulled away through backward
square leg, in the air and teased McMillan in the deep, before
just bouncing inside the rope and over for four more, five in a
row!
End of over 5 (25 runs) India 80/1 (RR: 16.00)
JDP Oram 2-0-33-0 - Hadlee Stand End
SS Das 2* (2b) SR Tendulkar 65* (22b 11x4 1x6)
5.1 Canning to Das, no run, full outside off stump, drives and misses,
Nevin takes well low down, standing up to the stumps
5.2 Canning to Das, legbye: two runs, full down the leg side, tries to
lap it away but at least gets some pad on to it, runs fine of
Cairns at short fine leg, races back after it, sliding to pull it
back in just inside the rope
5.3 Canning to Das, FOUR, shot! low full toss outside off stump, backs
away to free the arms, slashes it away through cover point
5.4 Canning to Das, one run, full and straight, drives sweetly along
the ground on the leg side, Oram fields from behind the bowler in
the 'Maxstop' position
5.5 Canning to Tendulkar, FOUR, shortish ball outside off stump,
slashes it away through backward point, beats third man to the
rope
5.6 Canning to Tendulkar, no run, good finish to the over by Canning,
full and straight, strongly drives back to the bowler, grabbing it
one-handed on the ground as he fell on his follow-through
End of over 6 (11 runs) India 91/1 (RR: 15.17)
TK Canning 2-0-34-0 - Port Hills End
SS Das 7* (6b 1x4) SR Tendulkar 69* (24b 12x4 1x6)
Andre Adams on to bowl in place of Oram at the Hadlee Stand End
6.1 Adams to Das, no run, low full toss, wide outside off stump, swing
and a miss, through to the keeper, interestingly no wide is
signalled though it was rather wide
6.2 Adams to Das, MAX: one run, full and straight, drives down the
ground on the leg side, to Harris who fields inside the Max zone
from long on
6.3 Adams to Tendulkar, one run, full outside off stump, powerfully
square drives along the ground, glorious stroke, but straight out
to Styris at deep point
6.4 Adams to Das, FOUR, this time it's even better from Das, punishing
square cut through backward point, Styris can't cut this one off
6.5 Adams to Das, FOUR, strays down the leg side, picked off the legs
through backward square leg, McMillan can't cut it off from much
squarer in the deep
6.6 Adams to Das, FOUR, high full toss outside off stump, slapped away
through the covers, and that's three in a row to finish the over,
Das proving a surprisingly dab hand at this form of the game so
far, no flashy strokes really
End of over 7 (15 runs) India 106/1 (RR: 15.14)
AR Adams 1-0-15-0 - Hadlee Stand End
SR Tendulkar 70* (25b 12x4 1x6) SS Das 21* (11b 4x4)
India well on top here now, just 17 behind with still 3 overs at
their disposal, could put on a handy 30+ lead if they play their
card right
Paul Hitchcock on to bowl for Canning at the Port Hills End
7.1 Hitchcock to Tendulkar, two runs, full outside off stump, chips it
strongly over extra cover, fine fielding by the sprinting McCullum
in the deep to cut it off inside the boundary, saves two runs
7.2 Hitchcock to Tendulkar, OUT: and Hitchcock has a prized scalp!
Tendulkar charges but can't get to a back of a length ball, nicks
it straight through to keeper Nevin and he's on his way for a
wonderful 72 off just 27 balls
India 108/2, Partnership of 78
SR Tendulkar c Nevin b Hitchcock 72 (27b 12x4 1x6)
SS Das 21* (11b 4x4) PA Hitchcock 0.2-0-2-1
VVS Laxman the new batsman
7.3 Hitchcock to Laxman, FOUR, shortish ball just outside off stump,
cleverly opens the face and steers it between the keeper and Adams
at short third man
7.4 Hitchcock to Laxman, FOUR, this time he sneaks it past Cairns at
short fine leg as Hitchcock strays on to leg stump
7.5 Hitchcock to Laxman, one run, tight shortish ball on off stump,
steers it straight to Adams at short third man for a quick single
7.6 Hitchcock to Das, FOUR, very smart shot! shuffles right across to
off stump, getting inside a full, straight ball, picks it up off
his legs, in the air wide of Cairns at short fine leg, two bounces
and it's away
End of over 8 (15 runs) India 121/2 (RR: 15.12)
PA Hitchcock 1-0-15-1 - Port Hills End
VVS Laxman 9* (3b 2x4) SS Das 25* (12b 5x4)
the fine misty rain returns, but we play on as the lights start
coming into their own more here at Jade Stadium
8.1 Adams to Laxman, OUT: Adams keeps it simple and is reward, short
run-up and keeps it dead straight on off stump, just a little
angle back into Laxman, gave himself too much room and the top of
off stump is rattled
India 121/3, Partnership of 13
VVS Laxman b Adams 9 (4b 2x4 0x6)
SS Das 25* (12b 5x4) AR Adams 1.1-0-15-1
Mohammad Kaif the new batsman
8.2 Adams to Kaif, no run, good tight fullish ball on off stump, Kaif
respectfully defends back on the leg side of the pitch, Adams does
his own fielding
8.3 Adams to Kaif, one run, full outside off stump, strongly drives
down towards McCullum at wide long off, a ragged return prevents
them from looking for a second
8.4 Adams to Das, OUT: and Adams' simple theory works wonders again,
angling a full ball in to the legs then straightens, squares Das
right up as it cleans up middle and leg
India 122/4, Partnership of 1
SS Das b Adams 25 (13b 5x4 0x6)
M Kaif 1* (2b) AR Adams 1.4-0-16-2
a mini fight-back by the home side to keep it interesting, still
India have 8 balls with which to build an advantage from
Sanjay Bangar the new batsman
8.5 Adams to Bangar, one run, low, straight full toss, driven straight
down to Harris at long on, and the scores are now level
8.6 Adams to Kaif, one run, another full, straight ball, cramped up a
little, Kaif tucks it away to Astle at midwicket, just one run on
offer there again, and Adams ends a fine over, taking 2-3 from it
End of over 9 (3 runs) India 124/4 (RR: 13.78)
AR Adams 2-0-18-2 - Hadlee Stand End
M Kaif 2* (3b) SB Bangar 1* (1b)
India however lead by 1 run, with six balls from which to make some
hay
9.1 Hitchcock to Kaif, wide: no run, Hitchcock tries to get away with a
bouncer, but it's too high, Kaif ducks right underneath it and the
umpires briefly consult before umpire Quested signals wide
9.1 Hitchcock to Kaif, no run, drags it down much shorter, with less
pace, Kaif is well through a shot across the line, missing through
to the keeper
9.2 Hitchcock to Kaif, wide: no run, short and wide down the leg side,
Kaif can't catch up to that one either
9.2 Hitchcock to Kaif, OUT: good length ball outside off stump, Kaif
gets well under it, but McCullum scoots around into the Max zone
from long off to complete a comfortable catch
India 128/5, Partnership of 6
M Kaif c McCullum b Hitchcock 2 (5b 0x4 0x6)
SB Bangar 1* (1b) PA Hitchcock 1.2-0-19-2 (2w)
the wheels just falling off slightly for India, their advantage may
be as low as 20 or even less now
Ajit Agarkar the new batsman
9.3 Hitchcock to Bangar, FOUR, shot! innovative from Bangar, steps
outside leg stump, and picks up a full, straight ball, timed
wonderfully over wide midwicket
9.4 Hitchcock to Bangar, no run, slower ball angling into the legs,
tries to swing it away square but misses, drops from the pad down
at his feet, Hitchcock darts forward to field himself and prevent
thoughts of a run
9.5 Hitchcock to Bangar, one run, very full outside off stump, tries to
smack it back over the bowler's head but mistimes it, ends up
falling well short of Oram fielding at 'Maxstop' behind the bowler
9.6 Hitchcock to Agarkar, no run, quick and full outside off stump,
swing and a miss, through to the keeper and another anticlimactic
end to an innings
End of over 10 (9 runs) India 133/5 (RR: 13.30)
PA Hitchcock 2-0-24-2 (2w) - Port Hills End
SB Bangar 6* (4b 1x4) AB Agarkar 0* (1b)
India fail to capitalise on a very good start, in the end only
managing an advantage of 10 runs, which is useful, but by no means
match-defining in this form of the game
the undoubted highlight of the innings behind the 27-ball taster of
an innings from Tendulkar, blasting 72 runs
play is set to resume in around 5 minutes time
Match State: Innings Break
the players return to the field, with Brendon McCullum to get his
chance at opening with Astle this time around
it'll be Khan to open up at the Hadlee Stand End in the second
innings
no slips, third man, gully, deep backward point, cover point, extra
cover, mid off, mid on, short midwicket, square leg in place
0.1 Khan to McCullum, one run, shortish lifting straight ball, tucked
off the hip straight down to square leg to get off the mark
0.2 Khan to Astle, no run, good ball! quick and full outside off stump,
drives and misses, through to the keeper
0.3 Khan to Astle, one run, very full outside off stump again, this
time Astle gets bat to ball, forcing it along the ground straight
up to Kaif at mid off, sprinting a single with the shot
0.4 Khan to McCullum, FOUR, Khan digs in a very short, quick ball, the
one allowed bouncer for the over, McCullum hooks and gets a thin
top edge over the keeper's head, races to the boundary
0.5 Khan to McCullum, no run, very full and angling away outside off
stump, drives and misses through to the keeper, appeal for caught
behind from the bowler, but any sound would've been the bat
hitting the turf, not ball
0.6 Khan to McCullum, no run, excellent finish to the over from Khan,
very full and angling away outside off stump again, drives and
misses once more to the keeper
End of over 1 (6 runs) New Zealand 6/0 (RR: 6.00)
Z Khan 1-0-6-0 - Hadlee Stand End
NJ Astle 1* (2b) BB McCullum 5* (4b 1x4)
New Zealand still in the red after an over, Indian thus far proving
that they are quick adaptors to this form of the game
Ajit Agarkar to bowl from the Port Hills End
1.1 Agarkar to Astle, SIX, what a shot! shortish ball outside off
stump, don't bowl there, it sits up begging to be hit and Astle
gives it an almighty thump, sends it a mile back into the No 3
stand at deep midwicket
1.2 Agarkar to Astle, FOUR, similar again, this time Astle latches on
to it a little less forcefully, but no less effectively, scooping
it hard and flat over midwicket, on the bounce to the rope this
time
1.3 Agarkar to Astle, no run, better from Agarkar, a change-up
delivery, has Astle down the track to a shorter, slower ball,
through the shot too early, misses to the keeper
1.4 Agarkar to Astle, one run, this time an attempted yorker, Astle can
only squeeze it out from his toes up towards mid on
1.5 Agarkar to McCullum, wide: no run, charges down the track to a
quicker, full but wide ball outside off stump, big swing and a
miss but backing outside leg stump to play those is always going
to have you unlikely to make any contact
1.5 Agarkar to McCullum, one run, full and straight, drives at it,
getting an inside edge into his boots, and away square for a quick
single
1.6 Agarkar to Astle, OUT: what a catch! slower, loopy short ball by
Agarkar outside off stump, sits up but Astle has to wait for it,
tamely scoops it towards Bangar on the circle edge at extra cover,
times his leap to perfection, plucking it out of the air like a
man
New Zealand 20/1, Partnership of 20
NJ Astle c Bangar b Agarkar 12 (7b 1x4 1x6)
End of over 2 (14 runs) New Zealand 20/1 (RR: 10.00)
AB Agarkar 1-0-14-1 (1w) - Port Hills End
BB McCullum 6* (5b 1x4)
'Spider-Man' qualities, sticks perfectly
Craig McMillan the new batsman
2.1 Khan to McMillan, no run, Khan smartly uses the one bouncer per
over rule to his advantage, digging it in short outside off stump,
McMillan backs away, trying to uppercut it, using the bounce and
pace, but misses to the keeper
umpire Quested has a brief word with the bowler about the tactic as
he returns to his mark
2.2 Khan to McMillan, two runs, oh dear, good cramping full ball sees
McMillan drag it straight to Tendulkar at short midwicket, but
with McCullum backing up a fair way, the temptation to have a shy
at the bowler's end is too much for Tendulkar, he misses and
concedes a couple of
overthrows for his troubles
2.3 Khan to McMillan, no run, quick full toss angling away outside off
stump, big swing and a miss, through to keeper Patel
2.4 Khan to McMillan, OUT: good ball! Khan consistently spot on with
line and length, McMillan drives from the crease but drags it on
to his stumps from outside off
New Zealand 22/2, Partnership of 2
CD McMillan b Khan 2 (4b 0x4 0x6)
BB McCullum 6* (5b 1x4) Z Khan 1.4-0-8-1
Chris Cairns the new batsman, coming to the crease with his team in
a little spot of bother
2.5 Khan to Cairns, one run, fullish ball outside off stump, smartly
opens the face to run it along the ground down to third man
2.6 Khan to McCullum, one run, full outside off stump, drives strongly
into the turf, up towards Kaif roaming across to his left from mid
off
End of over 3 (4 runs) New Zealand 24/2 (RR: 8.00)
Z Khan 2-0-10-1 - Hadlee Stand End
BB McCullum 7* (6b 1x4) CL Cairns 1* (1b)
an excellent spell from Khan comes to an end, has given India an
even stronger advantage in his clash so far
3.1 Agarkar to McCullum, no run, very full and straight, strongly
forced from the crease, but straight back to the bowler, Agarkar
does well to partially stop it on his follow through
3.2 Agarkar to McCullum, SIX, shot! not full enough from Agarkar and
McCullum relishes the opportunity to get on bended knee and swing
it away, hard and flat over midwicket
3.3 Agarkar to McCullum, no run, charges down the track to a quicker,
better length fullish ball outside off stump, big swing and a miss
to the keeper
3.4 Agarkar to McCullum, FOUR, rather full outside off stump, strongly
drives into the turf through extra cover, excellent chase by the
mid off man Kaif to dive and scoop it back inside the rope, but
after a couple of replays it is signalled four, just not quite
good enough
3.5 Agarkar to McCullum, one run, comes down the track and turns it
into a full toss, drives it straight down to mid on, running with
the shot
3.6 Agarkar to Cairns, one run, shortish ball on off stump, stands tall
on the crease, deflecting it down to backward point for a quick
single
End of over 4 (12 runs) New Zealand 36/2 (RR: 9.00)
AB Agarkar 2-0-26-1 (1w) - Port Hills End
CL Cairns 2* (2b) BB McCullum 18* (11b 2x4 1x6)
a better over for New Zealand, but they have a lot of ground to
make up, so will need a couple of explosive ones later in the
innings
Tinu Yohannan on to bowl for Khan at the Hadlee Stand End
4.1 Yohannan to Cairns, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump,
Cairns can only nudge it back down the track, Yohannan smartly
fields off his own bowling to prevent a single
4.2 Yohannan to Cairns, one run, very full just outside off stump,
drives it straight up towards Kaif at mid off
4.3 Yohannan to McCullum, no run, clever slower ball, very slow in
fact, has McCullum through his attempted pick-up shot off the legs
miles too soon, rapped on the pads, a gentle enquiry for lbw from
the bowler alone, heading well down the leg side
4.4 Yohannan to McCullum, one run, very full and straight, strongly
forced straight up to Das at mid on, quick single taken
comfortably despite a direct hit at the bowler's end
4.5 Yohannan to Cairns, FOUR, low full toss outside off stump,
powerfully driven through extra cover, finds the gap perfectly,
but goes over the boundary wide of the Max zone - something New
Zealand need to start eyeing up seriously shortly
4.6 Yohannan to Cairns, no run, another very good slower ball, straight
and on a good length, Cairns can only but flick it straight to
Tendulkar at short midwicket
End of over 5 (6 runs) New Zealand 42/2 (RR: 8.40)
T Yohannan 1-0-6-0 - Hadlee Stand End
BB McCullum 19* (13b 2x4 1x6) CL Cairns 7* (6b 1x4)
New Zealand floundering in the face of an intelligent bowling and
fielding approach from the visitors, even Cairns has no answers so
far
Sachin Tendulkar on to bowl for Agarkar at the Port Hills End
5.1 Tendulkar to McCullum, legbye: one run, floated full on leg stump,
tries to sweep but misses, deflects fine off the front pad, keeper
Ratra chases it down smartly, firing back to his own end, where
Tendulkar fields in his place
5.2 Tendulkar to Cairns, OUT: another blow for the home side, Cairns
gets under a floater, a big hit but not big enough, Kaif safely
under it at wide long on
New Zealand 43/3, Partnership of 21
CL Cairns c Kaif b Tendulkar 7 (7b 1x4 0x6)
BB McCullum 19* (14b 2x4 1x6) SR Tendulkar 0.2-0-0-1
Scott Styris the new batsman
5.3 Tendulkar to McCullum, MAX: SIX, McCullum decides it's time to step
up in a crisis, comes a step down to a Tendulkar floater, picks up
the half volley and it's a mighty shot straight down the ground
and over the sightscreen for the maximum, desperately needed by
the home team there
a hold-up in play as the ball is somehow lost in a gap between the
two stands in that part of the field!
not quite as resounding a stroke as a couple of the Astle sixes
smoked out of the park earlier in the year in the Test against
England, but proves to be just about as effective!
5.4 Tendulkar to McCullum, one run, Tendulkar digs it in quick and
short, has McCullum forced to angle it off the face to backward
point as he looked to charge it
5.5 Tendulkar to Styris, FOUR, clever shot from Styris! on bended knee,
paddles a full, straight ball away fine, and beats Yohannan's
chase from deep backward square leg
5.6 Tendulkar to Styris, one run, short, straight ball, tucked down off
the hip to vacant square leg, Ratra scoots after it from behind
the stumps to field
End of over 6 (19 runs) New Zealand 61/3 (RR: 10.17)
SR Tendulkar 1-0-18-1 - Port Hills End
SB Styris 5* (2b 1x4) BB McCullum 32* (16b 2x4 2x6)
6.1 Yohannan to Styris, no run, another fine slower ball from Yohannan,
really excelling at this art form tonight, has Styris heaving and
missing, looking to send that one over midwicket, but instead it's
through to the keeper
6.2 Yohannan to Styris, one run, and follows it up with an equally
effective yorker, chops it into the deck, drops down in close on
the leg side, quick single taken as Ratra scoots forward, skying
and missing at the bowler's end
6.3 Yohannan to McCullum, no run, and another slower ball! full outside
off stump, McCullum is caught in plenty of minds as to how to play
it, in the end his weak prod misses altogether, through to the
keeper
6.4 Yohannan to McCullum, one run, quick, full and straight, clips it
away straight to square leg, quick single taken as Tendulkar just
holds on to the ball
6.5 Yohannan to Styris, OUT: full outside off stump, gets under it with
a big thick top edge, flies all the way down to Bangar who takes
it safely at third man
New Zealand 63/4, Partnership of 20
SB Styris c Bangar b Yohannan 6 (5b 1x4 0x6)
BB McCullum 33* (18b 2x4 2x6) T Yohannan 1.5-0-8-1
Yohannan proving to be the master of all the bowlers in this
variety of the game tonight
Jacob Oram the new batsman, at the non-striker's end as they
crossed during the catch
6.6 Yohannan to McCullum, two runs, slower, shortish ball outside off
stump, waits for it, chopping it down through backward point,
quickly back for a smart second run on the return throw by Bangar
End of over 7 (4 runs) New Zealand 65/4 (RR: 9.29)
T Yohannan 2-0-10-1 - Hadlee Stand End
JDP Oram 0* (0b) BB McCullum 35* (19b 2x4 2x6)
Yohannan ends his spell with identical figures in both innings, 2-
0-10-1, for fine match figures of 4-0-20-2
7.1 Tendulkar to Oram, no run, floated up outside off stump and drifts
away, Oram meekly pokes at it, missing through to the keeper
7.2 Tendulkar to Oram, OUT: quicker ball pushed through full, Tendulkar
out-foxes Oram as he looks to come down the track, Ratra comes up
with a very sharp piece of work, whipping off the bails in a flash
New Zealand 65/5, Partnership of 2
JDP Oram st Ratra b Tendulkar 0 (2b 0x4 0x6)
BB McCullum 35* (19b 2x4 2x6) SR Tendulkar 1.2-0-18-2
Tendulkar the all-round star, with 4 wickets to go with his 72
Andre Adams walks to the crease as the crowd get increasingly
restless at this somewhat listless home team performance
7.3 Tendulkar to Adams, one run, quick and flat, strongly slapped
straight back down the pitch, Tendulkar takes a lot of the pace
off it, almost deflecting it back on to the stumps at the non-
striker's end, away for a quick single in the end
7.4 Tendulkar to McCullum, one run, charges at a full toss, can only
force it straight up to deepish mid on
7.5 Tendulkar to Adams, MAX: one run, low full toss outside off stump,
strongly driven straight down to long off, fielded inside the Max
zone, so one becomes two
7.6 Tendulkar to McCullum, one run, full outside off stump, powerfully
driven along the ground through wide mid off, but fielded well
just inside the rope and just one run on offer again
End of over 8 (5 runs) New Zealand 70/5 (RR: 8.75)
SR Tendulkar 2-0-23-2 - Port Hills End
BB McCullum 37* (21b 2x4 2x6) AR Adams 3* (2b)
just two overs left and New Zealand are falling well short of a
competitive target being set here
Virender Sehwag on to bowl for Yohannan at the Hadlee Stand End
8.1 Sehwag to McCullum, SIX, shot! a bit too short and it sits up,
pulled powerfully over forward square leg
8.2 Sehwag to McCullum, two runs, fuller on the toes, picked up
strongly over wide midwicket, two men converge to just stop it
inside the rope
8.3 Sehwag to McCullum, SIX, shot! drops it in a bit too short again,
McCullum heaves it powerfully over square leg again, brings up his
50 from 24 balls
8.4 Sehwag to McCullum, wide: no run, McCullum tries to get a bit too
cheeky, getting out the reverse paddle, misses a widish ball
outside off stump, after a long look umpire Quested signals wide
8.4 Sehwag to McCullum, MAX: two runs, it's all happening here! full
outside off stump, powerfully driven to Khan at extra cover,
partially stopped, but deflects it away into the Max zone! they
come back for an impossible third, and Adams is run out at the
keeper's end
New Zealand 90/6, Partnership of 25
AR Adams run out (Ratra) 3 (2b 0x4 0x6)
but bad news for India, hopefully only a minor problem, but Khan is
carted off the field, looks like he got hit rather nastily on the
leg
8.5 Sehwag to Canning, wide: two runs, poor ball, wide down the leg
side, tries to sweep on bended knee but misses, deflects off the
keeper's pads down towards fine leg, McCullum almost laps Canning
running between wickets!
Canning initially looks for a third run but in the end has to dive
back into his crease, just in time as the return from fine leg
comes in
8.5 Sehwag to Canning, SIX, oh boy! shortish ball, struck powerfully
over midwicket, caught on the boundary, but the fielder can't
quite stay inside the rope and jumps across the line
8.6 Sehwag to Canning, one run, full outside off stump, driven down to
wide long on
End of over 9 (36 runs) New Zealand 101/6 (RR: 11.22)
V Sehwag 1-0-31-0 (2w) - Hadlee Stand End
TK Canning 7* (2b 1x6) BB McCullum 55* (25b 2x4 4x6)
9.1 Tendulkar to Canning, wide: two runs, full down the leg side,
deflects off the keeper's pads towards fine leg again, they
scramble back for another run
9.1 Tendulkar to Canning, SIX, shot! inviting ball sits up to be
smacked and it is indeed, heaved handsomely over wide midwicket,
much-needed runs
9.2 Tendulkar to Canning, one run, full on the legs, clipped away out
to deep midwicket, Canning slips over turning at the bowler's end,
so they can't grab a tight second
9.3 Tendulkar to McCullum, one run, full outside off stump, powerfully
driven along the ground out to wide long off
9.4 Tendulkar to Canning, one run, full and straight, dragged away from
an inside edge towards deep backward square leg
9.5 Tendulkar to McCullum, FOUR, shot! full outside off stump,
powerfully smashed through extra cover
9.6 Tendulkar to McCullum, OUT: full outside off stump, strongly
clubbed down the ground, but straight down Agarkar's throat inside
the Max zone at long off
New Zealand 118/7, Partnership of 28
BB McCullum c Agarkar b Tendulkar 60 (28b 3x4 4x6)
End of over 10 (17 runs) New Zealand 118/7 (RR: 11.80)
SR Tendulkar 3-0-40-3 (1w) - Port Hills End
TK Canning 15* (5b 2x6)
Tendulkar takes 3 in the second innings, to grab match figures of
5-55 off 4 overs!
India need 109 to win, thanks to a handy last two overs for New
Zealand, they at least have a nominal total to bowl at
the players return, with Virender Sehwag on strike to Shane Bond
from the Hadlee Stand End, and Sachin Tendulkar at the non-
striker's end
0.1 Bond to Sehwag, wide: no run, quick short rising ball outside off
stump, plays and misses but umpire Quested gets India's chase
underway with a wide signal
0.1 Bond to Sehwag, no run, good sharp short rising ball on off stump,
cuts and misses, through to the keeper
0.2 Bond to Sehwag, no run, similar again, this time a little further
outside off stump, swish and a miss, through to the keeper
0.3 Bond to Sehwag, one run, shortish lifting ball just outside off
stump, chopped down into the ground square on the off side, quick
single taken comfortably with the shot
0.4 Bond to Tendulkar, no run, quick shortish, straight ball, gets
right in behind it, tucked down at his feet, unable to get it away
and Bond fields on his follow through
0.5 Bond to Tendulkar, one run, good tight shortish ball on off stump,
squared around a little, tapped down just behind point for a quick
single
0.6 Bond to Sehwag, SIX, shot! short rising ball outside off stump,
cuts on the up, sliced away high over the head of Adams at third
man
End of over 1 (10 runs) India 10/0 (RR: 10.00 RRR: 99/9 = 11.00)
SE Bond 1-0-10-0 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
SR Tendulkar 1* (2b) V Sehwag 7* (4b 1x6)
Jacob Oram to bowl from the Port Hills End
1.1 Oram to Tendulkar, no run, good quick shortish lifting ball just
outside off stump, shaping away and Tendulkar is well beaten,
through to the keeper
1.2 Oram to Tendulkar, FOUR, short rising ball outside off stump, tries
to hook, gets a thick top edge over the slip fielder, down to the
straight third man boundary on the bounce
1.3 Oram to Tendulkar, no run, shortish rising ball outside off stump,
swing and a miss, through to the keeper
1.4 Oram to Tendulkar, OUT: a big wicket, short rising ball, hooks but
skies it a bit much, Styris runs back from midwicket, has two
grabs at it but hangs on as he falls to the turf
India 14/1, Partnership of 14
SR Tendulkar c Styris b Oram 5 (6b 1x4 0x6)
V Sehwag 7* (4b 1x6) JDP Oram 0.4-0-4-1
in the meanwhile an idiot from the crowd runs on to the field, and
while he may be quick, he's not quick enough to evade security
staff, and is heavily tackled into advertising hoardings
Shiv Sunder Das the new batsman, at the non-striker's end
1.5 Oram to Sehwag, no run, short rising ball outside off stump, swing
and a miss, through to the keeper
1.6 Oram to Sehwag, one run, dropped! sharp chance for Astle at slip,
short rising ball just outside off stump, gets a thick outside
edge high above Astle at slip, through the hands, down to Canning
at third man
End of over 2 (5 runs) India 15/1 (RR: 7.50 RRR: 94/8 = 11.75)
JDP Oram 1-0-5-1 - Port Hills End
V Sehwag 8* (6b 1x6) SS Das 0* (0b)
2.1 Bond to Sehwag, wide: no run, short lifting ball outside off stump,
late swish and a miss, through to the keeper, umpire Quested
signals wide as it shaped away late from the batsman
2.1 Bond to Sehwag, no run, sharp rising ball on off stump, cramped up
for room and can only squirt it away to Harris at backward point
2.2 Bond to Sehwag, no run, quick short rising straight ball, Sehwag
backs away outside leg stump but swishes and misses again, through
to the keeper
2.3 Bond to Sehwag, two runs, tight shortish ball on off stump, sweetly
stroked from the crease through a gap in the covers, Harris and
Nevin converge on it in a chase to the outfield, easy two on offer
2.4 Bond to Sehwag, no run, advances down the track, but beaten for
pace and a good length from Bond, just keeping it far enough back
from Sehwag that he can't latch on to it on the up
2.5 Bond to Sehwag, no run, near yorker length this time, Sehwag square
drives sweetly but straight to Harris at backward point
2.6 Bond to Sehwag, no run, and Bond finishes an excellent over, short
of a length on middle and off, Sehwag can only stroke it straight
to Harris again, just 4 from the over
End of over 3 (4 runs) India 19/1 (RR: 6.33 RRR: 90/7 = 12.86)
SE Bond 2-0-14-0 (2w) - Hadlee Stand End
SS Das 0* (0b) V Sehwag 10* (12b 1x6)
the last 5 overs have belonged largely to New Zealand, clawing
their way back into this game slowly
3.1 Oram to Das, one run, shortish ball on off stump, tapped down
square on the off side, tight single taken with the shot, Harris'
shy at the bowler's end just misses, Das was well gone had it hit
3.2 Oram to Sehwag, no run, Sehwag getting a bit desperate, jumps a
long way outside off stump, trying to pull it but misses a ball
that nearly passes over off stump, and he was inside it!
3.3 Oram to Sehwag, FOUR, shot! that's more like it, not overly full
but full enough to square drive on the up, cracking shot scorches
to the cover point boundary
3.4 Oram to Sehwag, MAX: FOUR, a bit too full again and Sehwag takes
full toll, lofting it strongly over mid off's head, pitches in the
Max zone and rolls to the rope, that's an 8!
3.5 Oram to Sehwag, one run, very full outside off stump, uses a
horizontal bat to poke it away towards McMillan at cover point,
easy quick single taken with the shot
3.6 Oram to Das, wide: no run, good back of a length ball outside off
stump, Das jumps well back outside leg stump before realising he's
gone too far, tries to catch up with it but misses, but gets a
wide call anyway
3.6 Oram to Das, FOUR, shortish lifting ball outside off stump, simply
opens the face and guides it well wide of slip, and fine of third
man
End of over 4 (20 runs) India 39/1 (RR: 9.75 RRR: 70/6 = 11.67)
JDP Oram 2-0-25-1 (1w) - Port Hills End
V Sehwag 23* (16b 2x4 1x6) SS Das 5* (2b 1x4)
that over swings things right back in India's favour, 20 runs
coming from it
Tama Canning on to bowl for Bond at the Hadlee Stand End
4.1 Canning to Sehwag, no run, excellent start by Canning, a yorker and
Sehwag can only but dig it out from his toes, straight back to the
bowler
4.2 Canning to Sehwag, OUT: a similar delivery next ball and Sehwag can
only but chip it off his toes, low and flat straight to Styris at
midwicket
India 39/2, Partnership of 25
V Sehwag c Styris b Canning 23 (18b 2x4 1x6)
SS Das 5* (2b 1x4) TK Canning 0.2-0-0-1
Ajit Agarkar the new batsman
4.3 Canning to Agarkar, one run, low full toss, quietly driven straight
down to Oram at long on
4.4 Canning to Das, wide: no run, slower, shortish ball moving away
outside off stump, dabs at it but misses to the keeper, signalled
wide by umpire Quested however
4.4 Canning to Das, SIX, shot! full outside off stump, strongly lofted
over extra cover, just pitches a few inches over the rope
4.5 Canning to Das, no run, digs it in shorter, and straight, hops on
the crease to defend down in close on the leg side to Astle at
short midwicket
4.6 Canning to Das, no run, slower ball angling into the batsman, Das
gives himself some room but is still cramped up, dabs it into the
deck and bounces away to short third man
End of over 5 (9 runs) India 48/2 (RR: 9.60 RRR: 61/5 = 12.20)
TK Canning 1-0-9-1 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
AB Agarkar 1* (1b) SS Das 11* (5b 1x4 1x6)
halfway through the chase and it's still interestingly poised, 48
runs down, 61 more needed
Nathan Astle on to bowl, for Oram at the Port Hills End, looks like
Cairns won't roll the arm over himself
5.1 Astle to Agarkar, one run, shortish, straight ball, tucked off the
hip just behind square for an easy single as Cairns fields from
short fine leg
5.2 Astle to Das, two runs, fullish ball outside off stump, neatly
scooped away through extra cover, smart fielding from McCullum
roaming around from long off keeps them to two
5.3 Astle to Das, two runs, full outside off stump, picks it up
similarly, pitching in the outfield between two fielders, they
scamper back for the second, the bails are whipped off at the
keeper's end after a fine return, but Das is well home
5.4 Astle to Das, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump, dabs at
it but misses to the keeper, trying to run it away fine
5.5 Astle to Das, no run, and similar again! a quicker ball, but very
much the same delivery and result, taken by McCullum standing up
to the stumps
5.6 Astle to Das, one run, shortish ball on off stump, this time he
gets it away just behind point, quick single taken as a shy at the
bowler's end goes well over the top
End of over 6 (6 runs) India 54/2 (RR: 9.00 RRR: 55/4 = 13.75)
NJ Astle 1-0-6-0 - Port Hills End
SS Das 16* (10b 1x4 1x6) AB Agarkar 2* (2b)
a tight over from Astle makes it a little more interesting, now 55
needed from 24 balls
Andre Adams on to bowl for Canning at the Hadlee Stand End
6.1 Adams to Das, FOUR, shot! tight shortish ball on off stump, but
can't beat the deft late cut of Das, who sneaks it fine of short
third man and it races to the rope
6.2 Adams to Das, one run, shortish ball cutting back into the body,
drops down in close on the off side, they steal a quick single as
Adams dives but can't flick it on to the stumps
6.3 Adams to Agarkar, FOUR, shot! fullish ball outside off stump,
smashes it on the up over extra cover, three men give chase to no
avail
6.4 Adams to Agarkar, OUT: Adams gains quick revenge, Agarkar shuffles
across to off stump, trying to pick it away off his legs, but it's
not so easy to do that against swinging yorkers, takes out the
base of middle and leg
India 63/3, Partnership of 24
AB Agarkar b Adams 6 (4b 1x4 0x6)
SS Das 21* (12b 2x4 1x6) AR Adams 0.4-0-9-1
Mohammad Kaif the new batsman
this match is swinging wildly between the two sides at the moment,
only takes 1-2 balls for the momentum to shift
6.5 Adams to Kaif, legbye: one run, good length ball seaming back into
the front pad, loud shout for lbw from the bowler turned down by
umpire Quested, perhaps just heading down leg, quick single taken
from the deflection towards point
6.6 Adams to Das, legbye: one run, Das does like Agarkar before him,
shuffling to off stump, but at least gets some pad on an
inswinger, runs away just behind square on the leg side
End of over 7 (11 runs) India 65/3 (RR: 9.29 RRR: 44/3 = 14.67)
AR Adams 1-0-9-1 - Hadlee Stand End
SS Das 21* (13b 2x4 1x6) M Kaif 0* (1b)
44 needed off 18 balls, getting very delicate now, as Paul
Hitchcock is on to bowl in place of Astle at the Port Hills End
7.1 Hitchcock to Das, FOUR, short and sits up outside off stump, upper
cuts handsomely over the head of backward point
7.2 Hitchcock to Das, no run, good full ball outside off stump, tries
to run it away square but misses, through to the keeper
7.3 Hitchcock to Das, one run, full on the toes, driven up towards wide
midwicket, they look for a second but Das slips over as he turns
at the non-striker's end and Harris scoots in to fire back a
strong return from long on
7.4 Hitchcock to Kaif, one run, very full on off stump, squeezes it
away straight to Canning at backward point, allows the quick
single by holding on to the ball, asking rate getting harder by
the ball for India now
7.5 Hitchcock to Das, MAX: one run, dropped! perhaps a crucial miss,
fullish ball lofted down into the Max zone, he slid in to it from
long on, but couldn't hang on, and the run is doubled to rub salt
into the wound
7.6 Hitchcock to Kaif, one run, full and straight, driven down towards
long off, again just a single on offer
End of over 8 (9 runs) India 74/3 (RR: 9.25 RRR: 35/2 = 17.50)
PA Hitchcock 1-0-9-0 - Port Hills End
M Kaif 2* (3b) SS Das 28* (17b 3x4 1x6)
now it's crunch time, 35 needed off 2 overs, tricky, but certainly
not impossible in this form of the game
8.1 Adams to Kaif, OUT: Harris makes amends! fullish ball, Kaif picks
it up strongly, but straight down Harris' throat at long on, he
kicks the ball away, happy to make up for the previous fumble
India 74/4, Partnership of 11
M Kaif c Harris b Adams 2 (4b 0x4 0x6)
SS Das 28* (17b 3x4 1x6) AR Adams 1.1-0-9-2
35 needed off 11 balls, getting tougher still, need some Max hits
now
Sanjay Bangar the new batsman
8.2 Adams to Das, no run, excellent bowling! yorker length outside off
stump, Das can only drive it straight back to the bowler, 34 off
10 needed
8.3 Adams to Das, OUT: India capitulating! full outside off stump, gets
hold of it strongly, but plays it straight out to Styris at deep
cover
India 74/5, Partnership of 0
SS Das c Styris b Adams 28 (19b 3x4 1x6)
SB Bangar 0* (0b) AR Adams 1.3-0-9-3
Adams picks up his 5th wicket for the match, and India now need 34
off 9 balls, getting rather difficult
captain VVS Laxman the new batsman
8.4 Adams to Bangar, one run, another excellent full ball, driven up
towards mid on for just a single
8.5 Adams to Laxman, one run, relatively high full toss, stroked up
towards long on, and again just a single on offer
8.6 Adams to Bangar, FOUR, a relieving blow to end the over, full
outside off stump, slashed away through backward point to the rope
End of over 9 (6 runs) India 80/5 (RR: 8.89 RRR: 29/1 = 29.00)
AR Adams 2-0-15-3 - Hadlee Stand End
VVS Laxman 1* (1b) SB Bangar 5* (2b 1x4)
it's down to the last over, Hitchcock to bowl it and 29 needed,
need Max hits!
9.1 Hitchcock to Laxman, one run, full and straight, can only drive it
up towards wide mid on for a single, 28 off 5 needed
9.2 Hitchcock to Bangar, one run, full outside off stump, strongly
driven in the air, but straight down to Astle at wide long off on
the bounce for just a single, 27 off 4 needed
9.3 Hitchcock to Laxman, one run, shortish ball, swung away hard and
high over wide midwicket, pitches between two fielders in the
deep, again just a single available, 26 off 3 needed
9.4 Hitchcock to Bangar, OUT: Bangar eyes the necessary Max zone, gets
under a full ball well, but not well enough, and straight down to
Harris at long on inside the Max zone
India 83/6, Partnership of 9
SB Bangar c Harris b Hitchcock 6 (4b 1x4 0x6)
VVS Laxman 3* (3b) PA Hitchcock 1.4-0-12-1
26 off 2 needed now - need a no-ball or a wide, as well as Max hits
now!
Ajay Ratra the new batsman
9.5 Hitchcock to Laxman, no run, short rising ball outside off stump, a
swish and a miss through to the keeper, now 26 off 1 needed - just
a tad hard!
9.6 Hitchcock to Laxman, FOUR, full outside off stump, strongly driven
through extra cover, Nevin sprints after it in the deep, dives and
can't quite stop it, deflecting it over the rope, but it matters
not, New Zealand wrap up a 21-run victory
End of over 10 (7 runs) India 87/6 (RR: 8.70 RRR: 22/0 = 0.00)
PA Hitchcock 2-0-16-1 - Port Hills End
A Ratra 0* (0b) VVS Laxman 7* (5b 1x4)
India stumble to defeat, and comfortably so in the end, from a real
position of strength, perhaps just peaking a fraction too soon
tonight, before the home team's radar finally switched on at the
end
a fine crowd of 10,005 has turned up and braved the cool, misty
evening, and been well rewarded with an entertaining match,
hopefully just a glimpse of what players from both sides can offer
in the coming month of Test and ODI action
the enthusiasm started to wane, even rumblings of disquiet started
to emerge as the home side started to lose the plot halfway
through their second innings
however much of the last 12 overs of the match belonged to New
Zealand, it all starting with McCullum blasting Sehwag, and
Canning chipping in with a cameo at the end to ensure the Max
Blacks had a defendable total
a solid initial bowling effort kept it there or thereabouts, and
once Tendulkar and Sehwag had been frustrated out, it all fell
apart as the New Zealanders stepped up the pressure a notch, which
the Indian middle order couldn't handle, facing an increasing run
rate
despite being on the losing side, Sachin Tendulkar deservedly takes
away the Man of the Match award for his wonderful 72 off just 27
balls, plus 5 wickets with the ball
the news on Zaheer Khan is that the injury he sustained in the
field earlier was a shot striking his knee, and it has bruised,
and he may miss out on the three-day tour match starting on Friday
that concludes our rather hectic coverage of this action-packed
National Bank Super Max International at Jade Stadium, please join
us again on CricInfo on Friday, when India start their tour match
against Central Districts at McLean Park
in Napier, beginning at 10:30am local time (2130 GMT), but until
then it's goodbye from CricInfo in Christchurch
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