India close Day 5 of the WTC final at 2/64, leading New Zealand by 32 runs

[Ab Fan]

Boult is such an average bowler.

 

[Firebat]

India have shut up shop, not going for the win. Understandable to be fair.

Why not send Pant/Kohli up the order to bat with Sharma and at least have a little go? If it fails, you can then shut up shop. Sending Pujara out seemed such a negative move. It's probably wishful thinking but it's frustrating to see such a mouth-watering important Test fizzle out to a draw for 2 days.

 

[Varun]

Why not send Pant/Kohli up the order to bat with Sharma and at least have a little go? If it fails, you can then shut up shop. Sending Pujara out seemed such a negative move. It's probably wishful thinking but it's frustrating to see such a mouth-watering important Test fizzle out to a draw for 2 days.

The rain has decided the match, not our batting order.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Why not send Pant/Kohli up the order to bat with Sharma and at least have a little go? If it fails, you can then shut up shop. Sending Pujara out seemed such a negative move. It's probably wishful thinking but it's frustrating to see such a mouth-watering important Test fizzle out to a draw for 2 days.

Yes, it's a mystifying move to give up so early. I won't have expected it of Kohli and Shastri.

 

[Firebat]

The rain has decided the match, not our batting order.

I'm not blaming the batting order for the draw, I'm rationalising my wishful thinking in wanting to see one of the sides go for a win.

 

[Devadwal]

Rain ruin all the excitement . otherwise on this deck 4 day are enough for result.

 

[MP2011]

Rohit showing loads of patience. Hope he remains true to it.

 

[Buffet]

Yes, it's a mystifying move to give up so early. I won't have expected it of Kohli and Shastri.

If India tries to win, two scenarios are most likely here.


India all out for 150 runs. NZ will fancy their chances to chase.

India sets up 230 runs to chase, NZ will fancy their chance to bat overs because not many overs will be left.


The match was horrible with so much rain. Not sure why they couldn't have made a rule that 450 overs will be played even if it takes 7 days.

 

[Varun]

The match was horrible with so much rain. Not sure why they couldn't have made a rule that 450 overs will be played even if it takes 7 days.

The final of the 2013 Champion's Trophy was also heavily rain affected and looked to be a write-off until the ICC revealed an ace up their sleeve by changing it to a T20.

I wonder if the ICC can do the same thing here, by announcing the addition of another day (Day 7).

 

[Varun]

If nothing else, this is great warm-up for the England tests.

NZ are way better than any county team.

 

[Saurav]

The final of the 2013 Champion's Trophy was also heavily rain affected and looked to be a write-off until the ICC revealed an ace up their sleeve by changing it to a T20.

I wonder if the ICC can do the same thing here, by announcing the addition of another day (Day 7).

It wasn't changed to a T20

It was just shortened to 20 overs with ODI rules

 

[Last Monetarist]

If India tries to win, two scenarios are most likely here.


India all out for 150 runs. NZ will fancy their chances to chase.

India sets up 230 runs to chase, NZ will fancy their chance to bat overs because not many overs will be left.


The match was horrible with so much rain. Not sure why they couldn't have made a rule that 450 overs will be played even if it takes 7 days.

Oh I agree, India are caught between a rock and a hard place, there's no realistic way they can win this match. The ICC should take note for the next edition of the WTC and ensure that at least 10 days are set aside for the final.

 

[Varun]

It wasn't changed to a T20

It was just shortened to 20 overs with ODI rules

Yeah, it was basically a T20 even if it was considered an ODI on paper. The ICC made an exception, because under the regular rules of play the game should have been washed out.

 

[battler]

Nothing to see in this match. Will Peter out into a lame draw. A sad ending to a wtc final.

 

[Yk313]

A bit of an anticlimax if things continue like this. Would have been good to viewing to see how both NZD and IND shape up in slightly easier conditions.

IND would have had a chance to vindicate their selection and NZD could have had a chance to show if they can bat on a crumbling wicket.

 

[Buffet]

The final of the 2013 Champion's Trophy was also heavily rain affected and looked to be a write-off until the ICC revealed an ace up their sleeve by changing it to a T20.

I wonder if the ICC can do the same thing here, by announcing the addition of another day (Day 7).

Nah, different situations. ICC can't suddenly add one day now. ICC could have kept 2 reserve days in advance.

 

[Buffet]

A bit of an anticlimax if things continue like this. Would have been good to viewing to see how both NZD and IND shape up in slightly easier conditions.

IND would have had a chance to vindicate their selection and NZD could have had a chance to show if they can bat on a crumbling wicket.

Yah, it would have been good to watch. Entire-time we had conditions favoring NZ team with 5 seamers. I think NZ may have struggled in normal conditions. Even now, NZ can win, but less time left.

 

[Buffet]

Yeah, it was basically a T20 even if it was considered an ODI on paper. The ICC made an exception, because under the regular rules of play the game should have been washed out.

I am not sure if teams had a say in that. I doubt that any team behind in the middle of the test will agree to play extra day.

 

[Varun]

I am not sure if teams had a say in that. I doubt that any team behind in the middle of the test will agree to play extra day.

Why not? It should be done to accommodate the same number of overs that would be played in a regular 5 day test.

 

[Saurav]

Yeah, it was basically a T20 even if it was considered an ODI on paper. The ICC made an exception, because under the regular rules of play the game should have been washed out.

no game is washed out if even 20 overs arent possible

that's the max you can go

standard thing of reducing overs

 

[MP2011]

Suicide by Rohit, yet again.

 

[Varun]

Rohit simply cannot score above 35 outside India.

However pretty he looks until then.

 

[Yk313]

This man will not fulfil his potential with Test cricket. A bit of a late bloomer in international cricket anyway but seems to have a knack for missing out on starts.

Series in ENG will be a good one to put criticism to rest.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

That was an absolute peach from Southee. Set him up with outswinger and BAM!

 

[Last Monetarist]

India 19/2 effectively now.

 

[mastimasti]

DK on Kohli, "walks out with such attitude, one of the reasons why India are in the final" ....yes its the attitude lol what a rubbish comm and disgrace. Lets get rid of him.

Anyway, it was good to see Sharma try and be positive. All this blocking from the other batters does nothing for the sport. Its been a dour final.

 

[Varun]

Who is that guy yelling gibberish in the background non-stop?

Not Dinesh Karthik, some guy in the crowd.

 

[sharmaji]

DK is as cringe as every other Indian commentator is. I think only Harsha Bhogle stays objective and away from worshipping Kohli, and even he succumbs to the pressure sometimes.

DK on Kohli, "walks out with such attitude, one of the reasons why India are in the final" ....yes its the attitude lol what a rubbish comm and disgrace. Lets get rid of him.

Anyway, it was good to see Sharma try and be positive. All this blocking from the other batters does nothing for the sport. Its been a dour final.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Karthik claims that Kohli's never been hit on the helmet like that (after Kohli misjudged a short ball from Southee), Doull can't stop himself from retorting that it was only a glancing blow. Embarrassing.

 

[MP2011]

At stumps, we are 2/32.

 

[guna]

If India can set a target of 175-200 lead tomorrow and have NZ bat 40 overs, then it will be interesting.

It will be a draw mostly though. Rain has ruined a wonderful contest.

 

[drubwrubnat]

DK on Kohli, "walks out with such attitude, one of the reasons why India are in the final" ....yes its the attitude lol what a rubbish comm and disgrace. Lets get rid of him.

DK repeatedly also tried to run down Rishab Pant whenever he got the chance.
Overrated DK

 

[King_Kohli]

Batsman to be dismissed by Southee most times in intl cricket

10 - Rohit*
10 - Kohli
10 - Karunaratne

 

[sindhiboy]

I still think this is indias day they have a lead above 30.

Only way for india to win is for shami and ishant to blast out the nz in a session or two.

Nz have a higher chance to win, but draw is inevitable

 

[Devadwal]

Most Runs in ICC Semi Finals & Finals :

Kohli - 535 Runs
Sangakkara - 531 Runs
Ponting - 509 Runs

 

[Saurav]

Good day for India

could have been better but should be safe from here

 

[jnaveen1980]

Very absorbing day of cricket. NZ has a very thin edge. If India adds another 100 plus they will be in the driving seat. India still can be blown away given that India's last 3 are duds.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

ICC should add one more day to this test.

 

[Mesozoic]

Just imagine if we had one more reserve day.

I'd have surely backed India to defend 180 in the last innings on this wicket.

NZ got very very lucky with the weather.

 

[MenInG]

 

[Yasir_ch]

Oh man India escaping with draw here.it's not good.I wish they had 2 reserve days.

 

[dildilpak]

Who is that guy yelling gibberish in the background non-stop?

Not Dinesh Karthik, some guy in the crowd.

Is that the guy who was screaming ‘get down on your knees’.. That sounded very offernsive. couldnt make out if that was a NZ supporter or an Indian one.

 

[dildilpak]

ICC should have made it a best of 3 finals at a neutral venue. But then they erred on so many levels - first the unequal no. of games played by everybody, the crazy points system & allowing NZ to schedule a series in England right before the finals. Basically it was a ICC sponsored championship wherein ICC was not in control of the scheduling. So many flaws - hopefully the ICC has better control over this event in the future.

 

[King_Kohli]

Who is that guy yelling gibberish in the background non-stop?

Not Dinesh Karthik, some guy in the crowd.

Is that the guy who was screaming ‘get down on your knees’.. That sounded very offernsive. couldnt make out if that was a NZ supporter or an Indian one.

Breaking: The ICC says “We received reports of abuse directed at the New Zealand players. Our security team were able to identify the culprits and they were ejected from the ground. We will not tolerate any sort of abusive behavior in cricket.” Glad swift action was taken.

 

[Varun]

Breaking: The ICC says “We received reports of abuse directed at the New Zealand players. Our security team were able to identify the culprits and they were ejected from the ground. We will not tolerate any sort of abusive behavior in cricket.” Glad swift action was taken.

Hmm...the guy had an Aussie/Kiwi accent. Didn't sound Indian at all.

 

[King_Kohli]

Hmm...the guy had an Aussie/Kiwi accent. Didn't sound Indian at all.

I don't think Indians.
There is a patron yelling abuse at the NZ team. There's been some pretty inappropriate stuff throughout the day, including reports of racist abuse directed at LRPL Taylor.

 

[Firebat]

Tim Southee enjoyed a fine day with bat and ball to put New Zealand in a strong position heading into the reserve day of the ICC World Test Championship Final in Southampton.

The 32-year-old scored a quickfire 30 before removing both Indian openers in an absorbing final session, with India leading by 32.

Starting the day trailing by 116 runs, New Zealand began patiently, with Kane Williamson anchoring the innings, but three wickets before lunch opened the door for India.

However, cameos from Kyle Jamieson and Southee were enough to secure a 32-run first innings lead to sit in the driver’s seat in the push for a result.

Southee then removed Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma with some clever inswing in tricky batting conditions.

New Zealand made a circumspect start to the day, with runs hard to come by after a delayed start.

It took more than four overs for the first runs off the bat, and just 16 were scored in the first hour of play.

That pressure eventually told, with Ross Taylor driving on the up off Mohammed Shami, caught by a diving Gill for 11.

Henry Nicholls followed soon after for seven, caught by Rohit Sharma off the bowling of Ishant Sharma before Shami cleaned up BJ Watling for one as New Zealand slipped to 135/5 at lunch.

If the first session belonged to India, New Zealand fought back in the second, playing with greater intent, with Colin de Grandhomme’s drive for four to kick off the session an indication of what would follow.

The all-rounder fell leg before to Shami for 13, but Jamieson came in and hammered 21 off just 16 deliveries, including one huge heave over long-on off Shami.

The Indian quick had his revenge the very next ball, as Jamieson hit a top-edge to Jasprit Bumrah at long leg.

All the while, Williamson was plugging away at the other end, eventually dismissed for 49 after 177 deliveries, caught by Virat Kohli as he was tempted to play a wide one by Ishant Sharma.

His strike rate of 27.7 is the lowest he has had in an innings where he has reached 20, an indication of just how hard he had to dig in, but while he missed out on a half-century, New Zealand had the lead by the time he departed.

At 221 for eight, the tail was given licence to have a go, and Southee took full advantage. He hit two sixes and a four in his 46-ball 30 putting on some valuable runs with Neil Wagner (0) and Trent Boult (5 not out) before he was the last man out, bowled off his pads by Ravindra Jadeja.

To challenge for the win, New Zealand needed some early wickets, and Gill fell for eight as Southee brought one back in to pin him leg before with the deficit still at eight.

Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara knuckled down but another Southee inswinger did for the former, failing to play a shot as he went LBW for 30.

Pujara and Kohli saw out the remainder of the session and will return on Wednesday looking to build on India’s lead of 32.

The ICC confirmed that the reserve day would be utilised with a maximum of 98 overs (83 plus 15) to be bowled and play to begin at 10.30 a.m. BST

Scores in brief:

India v New Zealand, at the Hampshire Bowl, Southampton.
India 217 in 92.1 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 49, Virat Kohli 44; Kyle Jamieson 5/31, Neil Wagner 2/40)
New Zealand 249 in 99.2 overs (Devon Conway 54, Kane Williamson 49, Tom Latham 30, Tim Southee 30; Mohammed Shami 4/76, Ishant Sharma 3/48, Ravichandran Ashwin 2/28)
India 64/2 in 30 overs (Rohit Sharma 30; Tim Southee 2/17)

 

[mastimasti]

If NZ can pick up quick wickets against a shaky batting line up then this could be interesting..if not then it looks like a draw.

Kohli needs to finally get some tough runs in championship match, and if the next few batsmen can help us get to 250, NZ will not likely chhse.

 

[Aman]

I don't think Indians.
There is a patron yelling abuse at the NZ team. There's been some pretty inappropriate stuff throughout the day, including reports of racist abuse directed at LRPL Taylor.

There was an idiot who wouldn't shut up and tried to put Kane off when he was closing in on 50.

Idiots like that shouldn't be tolerated.

 

[Aman]

Hmm...the guy had an Aussie/Kiwi accent. Didn't sound Indian at all.

Why would an Aussie/Kiwi try to put off Kane when he's closing in on 50?

 

[Aman]

Looks like the first hour is going to prove costly, let India get away in helpful conditions.

Boult has been really disappointing, has not stepped up when the team needed him to.

Jamieson and Southee are pretty much are #1 and #2 bowlers now.

 

[dildilpak]

Why would an Aussie/Kiwi try to put off Kane when he's closing in on 50?

I thought i heard a Brit accent from that guy? Could be a Brit- Indian!

 

[El Generico]

Hmm...the guy had an Aussie/Kiwi accent. Didn't sound Indian at all.

Could be an Indian born in New Zealand. A lot of foreign born Indian/Pakistanis still support their country of origin.