http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754’s fight back in Ahmedabad Test
New Zealand started the day in an emphatic manner as both the overnight batsmen scored scintillating half centuries to place their team in a better position at 148/4, until the spinners brought about the demise to dent the hopes of the visiting team.
Previously, when India posted a mammoth first innings total, the visitors crumbled in their first half of play as they lost their openers early and the score line was bleakly read 27/2.
Brendon McCullum, who has given up wicket keeping gloves in the longest version of the game, counter-attacked the opposition after they lost their first two wickets.
Moreover, Ross http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Taylor-c92915 completely supported Brendon by playing watchfully. The Kiwis ended the day on a score of 69/2.
The proceedings on the e3rd day started for New Zealand in a positive manner as the pair mustered 104 runs for the 3rd wicket partnership. In the process, Taylor racked up 56 runs to steady his team’s ship, until he gifted his wicket
to the off-spin of Harbhajan, hitting the ball straight to mid-wicket, where Laxman took a sharp catch.
Soon after, Ojha got rid of the other set batsmen, McCullum, on 65 runs with a beauty. The ball left the outside edge of the batsman’s blade, Dhoni, gathered the ball cleanly and rattled the furniture to get rid of McCullum by stumping him out.
Pragyan Ojha has been the pick of the bowlers for the hosts, scalping decent figures of 2/41 in twenty economical overs of left-arm orthodox bowling. The left arm bowler has shown great courage and enthusiasm. In doing so, he pitched the bowl in the right
areas, allowing the red cherry to grip and spins off the surface, and, so far he has been successful.
Harbhajan the senior partner has backed him up by keeping things tight at one end. In doing so, his gritty off-spinners earned him the key wicket of Ross Taylor.
India boasted breathtaking centuries from their top order batsmen http://www.senore.com/Cricket/VVS-Laxman-c2772 and Sachin Tendulkar, in the process.
Harbhajan’s heroics with the bat in the late order guided India to a massive first innings total of 487 runs. Adding to this, he struck 69 runs off just 97 balls, cracking five crisp boundaries and three towering sixes.
After lunch, Jessie Ryder (6) and Kane Williamson (5) will start the proceedings for the tourists. India would love to take a few quick wickets to put New Zealand under pressure.
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