R Ashwin spins web around New Zealand batsmen
R Ashwin first hampered New Zealand's momentum just on the brink of lunch by dismissing Tom Latham. After lunch, however, he annihilated them, validating why he is ranked one of the best Test bowlers currently. Ashwin was almost solely responsible to reduce New Zealand from 118 for 0 to 216 for 6 by tea on the third day of the final Test at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Monday (October 10), with momentum shifting drastically.
Latham and Martin Guptill shared a century-run stand and gave the visitors just the start they needed, albeit with some luck, after India piled on runs yesterday. With Latham handing Ashwin an easy return catch earlier, the mid session was all about the edges. While Kane Williamson (8) got an under edge that went onto crash into the stumps just after lunch, Ross Taylor (0) and Luke Ronchi (0) got outside edges that were caught safely by Ajinkya Rahane, continuing a rather dismal tour of India for New Zealand's vice-captain. This was Taylor's third duck in four Tests.
As if Ashwin's prowess with the ball wasn't damaging enough for the visitors, he got a fingertip to a ball that was hit straight back by Ronchi that went on to shatter the stumps at the non-striker's end which had Guptill caught short of his crease. After having enjoyed a fair share of luck earlier, the opener departed for 72. Ashwin, who had 0-36 from his first nine overs, had 4 or 10 in the next nine.
New Zealand lost 5 wickets for 30 runs before Jimmy Neesham and BJ Watling came together and showcased some resistance in a useful fifty-run stand. They tackled the variations of the Indian spinners adeptly until Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Watling just overs before Tea, foxing the batsman with the slower one as he, too, edged to Rahane at slip ending a session that had 91 runs scored in 21 overs. Although New Zealand scored at a decent rate, it is the five wickets that will hurt them after that solid start in the morning. Neesham remained unbeaten on 37 along with Mitchell Santner for company.
Resuming the day on 28, the New Zealand pair was aggressive up front. Not just did they hunt down every possible single, but boundaries flowed in as they put the loose balls away. Indian bowlers' ploy of bowling a lot fuller, drawing the batsmen in to play and the surprise short ball from time to time didn't seem to deter the New Zealand batsmen, whose footwork was on the mark.
Guptill seemed to lack confidence all series and needed one innings to turn that mindset around. His aggressive intent in the right measure, coupled with composure, gave him the platform for a solid innings.
Rahane dropped Guptill early in the day when an edge flew to gully. Rahane, who has an otherwise safe pair of hands, dropped his second catch in two games. Guptill attacked the pacemen to bring up a half-century after seven innings.
Latham, too, had his fair share of luck before it ran out. He got a big inside edge that lobbed to first slip off his boot, which umpire Bruce Oxenford seemed to have missed. Jadeja was shell-shocked as the umpire adjudged it not out. However, Ashwin made up for it the next over as Latham perished for 53.
The heat in Indore seems to be getting to the visitors. Guptill looked drained as he perched an ice pack on his head. Yesterday, Trent Boult was seen do the same when New Zealand were being punished by the pair of Virat Kohli and Rahane, who shared a record 365-run stand.
Latham and Martin Guptill shared a century-run stand and gave the visitors just the start they needed, albeit with some luck, after India piled on runs yesterday. With Latham handing Ashwin an easy return catch earlier, the mid session was all about the edges. While Kane Williamson (8) got an under edge that went onto crash into the stumps just after lunch, Ross Taylor (0) and Luke Ronchi (0) got outside edges that were caught safely by Ajinkya Rahane, continuing a rather dismal tour of India for New Zealand's vice-captain. This was Taylor's third duck in four Tests.
As if Ashwin's prowess with the ball wasn't damaging enough for the visitors, he got a fingertip to a ball that was hit straight back by Ronchi that went on to shatter the stumps at the non-striker's end which had Guptill caught short of his crease. After having enjoyed a fair share of luck earlier, the opener departed for 72. Ashwin, who had 0-36 from his first nine overs, had 4 or 10 in the next nine.
New Zealand lost 5 wickets for 30 runs before Jimmy Neesham and BJ Watling came together and showcased some resistance in a useful fifty-run stand. They tackled the variations of the Indian spinners adeptly until Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Watling just overs before Tea, foxing the batsman with the slower one as he, too, edged to Rahane at slip ending a session that had 91 runs scored in 21 overs. Although New Zealand scored at a decent rate, it is the five wickets that will hurt them after that solid start in the morning. Neesham remained unbeaten on 37 along with Mitchell Santner for company.
Resuming the day on 28, the New Zealand pair was aggressive up front. Not just did they hunt down every possible single, but boundaries flowed in as they put the loose balls away. Indian bowlers' ploy of bowling a lot fuller, drawing the batsmen in to play and the surprise short ball from time to time didn't seem to deter the New Zealand batsmen, whose footwork was on the mark.
Guptill seemed to lack confidence all series and needed one innings to turn that mindset around. His aggressive intent in the right measure, coupled with composure, gave him the platform for a solid innings.
Rahane dropped Guptill early in the day when an edge flew to gully. Rahane, who has an otherwise safe pair of hands, dropped his second catch in two games. Guptill attacked the pacemen to bring up a half-century after seven innings.
Latham, too, had his fair share of luck before it ran out. He got a big inside edge that lobbed to first slip off his boot, which umpire Bruce Oxenford seemed to have missed. Jadeja was shell-shocked as the umpire adjudged it not out. However, Ashwin made up for it the next over as Latham perished for 53.
The heat in Indore seems to be getting to the visitors. Guptill looked drained as he perched an ice pack on his head. Yesterday, Trent Boult was seen do the same when New Zealand were being punished by the pair of Virat Kohli and Rahane, who shared a record 365-run stand.
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