New Zealand v India, 2nd Test, Wellington

First topic message reminder :

After an exciting first test, the venue now shifts to Wellington for the 2nd test.
India would want to arrest the losing streak away from home. It now stands at 10 out of the last 11. 2 of the last 3 tests India played were classics, but they failed to come out at the right end despite doing some special things, like setting the world number 1 side a target over 450 and then bowling New Zealand out for 105. They would really want to correct that here.
As for New Zealand, this summer has been a good one. The won the test series against the West Indies, nearly whitewashed India in the ODI series, and won the first test as well. They would want to cap the summer with a big moment.
New Zealand will be without their best batsman for this crucial game. Ross Taylor is out on paternity leave, and that gives exciting prospect Tom Latham an opportunity. They are also set to give all-rounder James Neesham an outing on a pitch hat is expected to assist the seamers with spinner Ish Sodhi giving way. That means Kane Williamson has to play the led spinner role besides being the best batsman in Taylor's absence.
Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma, all produced good individual performances in the last test. As such it is unlikely that India would change anything around.

Shami bowling decent after lunch, caused a few problems but seems to be tiring now.

McCullum inching towards a double hundred, Watling toward a century. Lead eeks out to 130

Surprised Dhoni hasn't given someone like Kohli an over or two just to mix it up a bit

Double hundred for McCullum, 400 up for New Zealand.

Dhoni just praying one of these two gets themselves out at this stage. He's doing nothing

Right I need sleep. Surely these two won't be in at stumps and when I wake up?!

Watling finally departs for a very well made 124 in a world record stand for the 6th wicket of 352 runs.

McCullum on 242*... he now moves into 6th place in the all-time NZ highest runs scored.

NZ 464/6 and their lead is now 218 runs.

I have been feeling increasingly sick deep inside looking at the progress of the score card in this match.

Its good to see the Kiwis stand up and be counted for a change, its this lack attitude in the past which confines cricket to being such a minor sport here.

That attitude needs to change. Great to see them turn this one around.

When I switched on this morning they had a lead of 7 runs...

NZ 571/6 at close of play Day 4. They lead by 325 runs

McCullum 281*
Neesham 67*

this is neither indicative of an an attitude change phenomenon nor a renaissance......but merely a one off feast dropping from heaven for NZ in the form of the most Popat test match captain ever as an an opponent

PS* "Popat"  means something like listless

Even taking that into account KP_fan, McCullum has been the type of player to throw away his wicket more easily than the India side have been prepared to throw down gifts.

The groundsman did NZ no favours. McCullum can't win a toss to save himself and that green top was always going to see India bowl first. With the weight of the India first innings, McCullum has shown character and patience that previously has eluded him. A great captain's knock and I hope he gets his triple century. It seems unlikely to go for the win with this kind of surface.

     Staggering.

Like the Dravid-Laxman partnership at Eden but against lesser bowling and NZ probably not getting the match win.

Bat, bat, bat and get the series win with the draw. Because India could get 400 in 70 overs on this pitch.

KP_fan wrote:this is neither indicative of an an attitude change phenomenon nor a renaissance......but merely a one off feast dropping from heaven for NZ in the form of the most Popat test match captain ever as an an opponent

PS* "Popat"  means something like listless

Are you not saying then that India is giving this test to New Zealand, Why would they do that?

McCullum could fancy Lara's 400, here.

kingraf wrote:McCullum could fancy Lara's 400, here.

That thought had crossed my mind too , kingraf. He will never have a better chance !

However I think it more likely they will boost this lead to a completely safe level and then have at least a token go at bowling India out. Suppose India might conceivably bowl them out quickly and have a go for the runs ; but you'd reckon their bowlers would be getting a bit weary...

Yeah, Zaheer could hardly walk at the end of today... 41 overs today, Shami 40 and Ishant 39.

You'd think to be completely safe they would need a lead of around 380... so another 55 runs.
Mac can get his triple... even Neesham could get close to his maiden Test ton. So declare around 625?

That would mean India would have less than 3 sessions to try and achieve something remarkable. Or alternatively, just try and bat out the day... but that could spell danger even on this flat batting wicket.

If cook did that everyone would be slating him for playing it safe.

It's an interesting score, that 400. I've always gotten the sense that cricketers don't want to break it because of how inherently selfish it makes you look. If I'm not mistaken I think Ponting said something similar. It's the sort thing you never want to be in as a captain, deciding how far you can go. No Kiwi has scored 300, yet if I'm not mistaken, so I'd like it if he at least ticked that off. bat an hour and set India about 400

Bat until they bowl you out, no idea why you'd even give India a chance to chase 400 odd in 70 overseas. No need to declare, pound them into the ground

Mainly to get a win Olly. This is the same India that went from 181-1, to 340 all out in South Africa, and 200 all out in New Zealand. If you get Pujara, they are more than capable of collapsing underneath themselves, especially if they recklessly chase a huge target. As a skipper, I'd be inclined to go for it. Chasing 250 on a day five has always been harder than it's ODI equivalent. I think McCullum will play it safe, understandably so, given New Zealand's lack of genuine recent success - but there is definitely merit in going for the win

What a comeback.

NZ have already won the test series now (India making England seem less bad!), I feel, so just bat and bat.

Have a go at the 400 McCullum - you'll never get a better chance for history.

Bat till 20 mins before lunch (if possible) then declare, leaving them approx 430 to get in approx 65 overs. Problem with that, is if BMac is on 350 not out. Decisions, decisions.

Stella - do you think he'd go for 400? I honestly think cricketers are very hesitant about holding the Highest Individual Score record. Especially ones with, less than stellar records...

kingraf wrote:Stella - do you think he'd go for 400? I honestly think cricketers are very hesitant about holding the Highest Individual Score record. Especially ones with, less than stellar records...

He might do. TBH, the game will probably end up as a draw, and they are 1-0 up, so he may bat on. He may get out first ball tomorrow, and ruin all our predictions   

kingraf wrote:Mainly to get a win Olly. This is the same India that went from 181-1, to 340 all out in South Africa, and 200 all out in New Zealand. If you get Pujara, they are more than capable of collapsing underneath themselves, especially if they recklessly chase a huge target. As a skipper, I'd be inclined to go for it. Chasing 250 on a day five has always been harder than it's ODI equivalent. I think McCullum will play it safe, understandably so, given New Zealand's lack of genuine  recent success - but there is definitely merit in going for the win

I see the line of thought Kingraf, but for me I'd just bat and bat and bat some more.

Although as you say chasing 400 odd in 70 overs is a lot harder in Tests due to lack of fielding restrictions/wides not being as tight etc

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:If cook did that everyone would be slating him for playing it safe.

If you had the batting -  Cook would probably try and bat on to declare at 700 to make completely sure.

Kiwis have a little more cheek than that. They'll still be entertaining thoughts of a possible win so I think they'll try and at least tempt India.

Even on a track which seems lifeless, maybe they can get more pumped up (their bowlers are well rested; Indian batsmen will feel tired) and then who knows what might happen if they can make some early breakthroughs.

Look at SA v Oz. One bowling attack struggled; the other found something. Not saying NZ have an MJ but collectively, on their day... once they get a sniff and some early rewards... wickets can fall quickly even on that Basin deck.

Will Kohli or Dhoni be in a position to pull off something bigger than the Pakistan run chase v SL of 304 from 59 overs on the final day?
They are both capable of scoring 150+ runs a session batting together or with another partner.
So at least 380+ runs would be a challenge to try and obtain.
India are desperate to please their fans. The expectations from them and the pressure to succeed is huge.

McCullum already saying that they might declare overnight. Good bluffing. Don't think so... unless it's raining.

Yeah can't see him declaring overnight, think more likely he will wait to see just how good the pitch plays before deciding

So just how does this NZ innings rate in the "great recovery" stakes? From 94 for 5, still 144 behind, to 325 ahead with only one more wicket down.
Off top of my head:
1. Dravid and Lax when they put on 376 versus Australia
2. Pakistan's follow-on recovery v WI in 1957-58 when Hanif got 337 and batted for many weeks!
3. Trott and Broad adding 332 v P at Lord's (but that was first innings so may not count)
4. Atkinson and de Peiza at Bridgetown for WI v A in 54-55.
5. The Botham match at Headingley in 1981 when England won after being 92 behind with only three wickets left.
Probably loads of others that I've missed but there can't be many when one side was so close to defeat on day 3 and were still playing, and indeed batting, on day 5.

Martin Crowe came the closest with 299 I think against Sri Lanka. I think an hour or so before lunch would make an interesting declaral. Leave a run chase impossible but give a sniff of victory if early wickets fall. Don't think the Kiwis will die wondering of a possible 2-0 against India, however unlikely the scenario.

sirfredperry wrote:So just how does this NZ innings rate in the "great recovery" stakes? From 94 for 5, still 144 behind, to 325 ahead with only one more wicket down.
  Off top of my head:
  1. Dravid and Lax when they put on 376 versus Australia
  2. Pakistan's follow-on recovery v WI in 1957-58 when Hanif got 337 and batted for many weeks!
  3. Trott and Broad adding 332 v P at Lord's (but that was first innings so may not count)
  4. Atkinson and de Peiza at Bridgetown for WI v A in 54-55.
  5. The Botham match at Headingley in 1981 when England won after being 92 behind with only three wickets left.
Probably loads of others that I've missed but there can't be many when one side was so close to defeat on day 3 and were still playing, and indeed batting, on day 5.    

Dravid and Laxman's heroics for me especially against such bowlers and the mighty Australia of 2001 and of course India got the win.

In terms of NZ fightbacks, you have to include Martin Crowe and Andrew Jones against Sri Lanka at Wellington in 1991, Mark Greatbatch and Martin Snedden against Australia at Perth in 1989, Jeremy Coney and Ewen Chatfield against Pakistan at Dunedin in 1985, Bruce Taylor and Ken Wadsworth against the West Indies at Trinidad in 1972 and Mark Burgess and Bob Cunis against Pakistan at Dhaka in 1969. Out of those McCullum and Watling's effort are probably down the list but if the impossible happened and NZ won then they might be propelled to first, however unlikely that might be.

Let's not get carried away with BM-300 is the target first. After that then maybe he can go nuts-but NZ have to bat India out of the test and therefore series. 400-450 lead min as it looks like a road.

I remember watching Crowe and Jones on the bank at the Basin eating those American Chilli Dogs. Was awesome. Kudos also to Aravinda de Silva that test for his 267.

Crowe was run out for 299 wasn't he?

Run out on 299 would have been too cruel.

As it was, he got the faintest of nicks and was caught behind, followed by stunned silence.

I remember Crowe walking off incensed and after in the interview saying once he'd had the sponsorsed DB he saw perspective and calmed down. Frankly, he showed great control on his behalf as DB is pish and drinking that would've enraged me further.

Skyeman and Kiaka - Ta for those additions. Drav/Lax was, of course, sensational, but really Aus should have shut up shop and gone for the draw.
They just didn't do draws in those day and really thought they could get the runs, having won their last SIXTEEN Tests. They only really started to play defensively right at the end by which time the Turbanator was too much for them.

fantastic from NZ! Particuarly B.Mac and Watling!!! However Dhoni's captaincy is seriously flawed away from home, when he cant just set the spinners loose on batsmen!

This is about the third time recently when India should have won a Test but their bowling not quite being good enough to seal the deal.

Is it the bowling, bowling selection or Dhoni's captaincy?

Or bad catching abilities as previously stated by others.

Little bit of a prediction...

Expect McCullum to fall in the first over of the day.

I shall return from football later to see if I was correct

Olly wrote:Little bit of a prediction...

Expect McCullum to fall in the first over of the day.

I shall return from football later to see if I was correct

It often happens   

Missed the cricket today. Brilliant from New Zealand, listless from India, and I don't miss missing the game for the day.

Sorry Sir Fred, i had an half hour typing reply to your previous post because at the time i was too busy to give a better reply. I was trying to redress that when i inadvertently mucked up the copy and paste after No 4, just in case i lost my efforts. Which i did   ending up with three words.

Hanif magical, after Pakistan only getting 106 first dig, i must say.


But i can't be bothered to do it again.

Credit to all of them. Cheap but frustrated from Skye 

This should be Zak, Ishant and MSD's last Test.

Love it. NZ commentators saying they have never seen anything like it. Crowd dying to get in, anticipation, excitement, etc.

Brilliant for NZ cricket. Win, win.

skyeman wrote:Love it. NZ commentators saying they have never seen anything like it. Crowd dying to get in, anticipation, excitement, etc.

Brilliant for NZ cricket. Win, win.

The blokes at the construction site next door have a great view of it too.

Looks a little overcast this morning.

Do you know! From the commentators speaking, not only are they waiting for NZ cricket history to be made with the first NZ Test 300. I believe they are thinking of the 400.

Hope so.

Linebreaker wrote:

skyeman wrote:Love it. NZ commentators saying they have never seen anything like it. Crowd dying to get in, anticipation, excitement, etc.

Brilliant for NZ cricket. Win, win.

The blokes at the construction site next door have a great view of it too.

Looks a little overcast this morning.

Sadly. You are correct about the weather. Could be a good time to bowl. One commentator saying get the 300 and BM being the man he is would then want the win.

Shucks.

606/6....  

360 run lead

Neesham 100 his first    

Should keep Ronchi at bay.

James Neesham gets his maiden Test century!  Well done lad!  

BM never been the best but the previous Test double hundred and now 300 from such a position against the number two ranked team in the world. Amazing stuff.

History has been made. Incredible.


Hats off.        

He's done it!   

Brendon McCullum reaches 302* and breaks the 300 barrier for NZ batting overtaking Martin Crowe.