The Finale

One that should be an enthralling and exciting test match to wrap what has been an entertaining tour to watch. New Zealand took the Twenty20 Series quite convincingly. India took the ODI Series with a game to spare. India lead 1 - 0 in the test series.


The India team ready to do what's required: Win the test match if they have the chance or draw if they can't win it.

For India, they cannot lose this test series so that would be a good feeling. For New Zealand, win and they obtain the credibility of drawing a test series with India. Lose and all the hard work they put into the 2nd test (most notably Ryder's double century, McCullum's first century against a quality test opposition and making India follow on) will count for nothing. So both teams should have the urge and attitude to win this test match.

For this 3rd and final test match, I find it almost impossible for India to lose this game. In the 2nd test match, India showed that if they can't win a test match, then they can most certainly save it. New Zealand were in such a dominant position, putting 600 + runs on the board in 5 sessions, giving themselves three days and a session to take 20 wickets. However, they only took 14 wickets - 3 in Day 2, 8 in Day 3, 1 in day 4 and 2 in day 5. It not only shows how good this Indian batting line-up is but powerless and un-threatening the New Zealand bowling attack is. Had the bowling attack contained the likes of a 'Dale Steyn,' a 'Brett lee' or even one their own - a 'Shane Bond;' they would of had no trouble bowling India out in 3 or so days. New Zealand lack a spearhead, an outright fast bowler who can make breakthroughs when needed most - backed up by support bowlers who can chip in with a wicket or two. New Zealand's whole pace attack consists of support bowlers. In an attack featuring Chris Martin, Iain O' Brien, James Franklin or even Tim Southee - India have nothing much to worry about. The four have neither the pace nor intimidation to even put a doubt in the Indian minds. If a 'Shane Bond' was in that attack, he would have probably nipped 2-3 top-order wickets - and then allowing the support bowlers and spin bowlers to come into the game. Vettori and Patel are great spin bowlers but ain't very effective when they're the only ones taking the wicket - which further stresses the need of a spearhead in the New Zealand attack.

The decision to bring Tim Southee back is a bit of an odd decision to be honest. He struggled in the ODIs and the Indians attacked him whenever he was brought in to bowl - bowling 10 wicketless overs for 100+ runs. Hopefully, Tim Southee produces the swing that he had when he nipped three Australian top order wickets in one session. If not, then let the Sehwag show begin!

After the match, Vettori stated that:

You can play another Test match on this if you want to! whatever conditions we get [in the third Test] , this performance here will give us lots of heart.

I can't see how not being unable to bowl out an opposition in 2 days is a good performance, especially given how dominant New Zealand were in (even more than the dominant positions that Australia were in against New Zealand in the test matches!). In my opinion, the momentum is firmly on India.

However, you cannot take the credit away from the Indian batting line-up. Sure they got bowled out late in Day 3 but they regrouped superbly batting 180 overs in the second innings at the cost of just 4 wickets. Gambhir played probably his most boring test innings of late but it was a match-saving one. His briliance in the second innings was backed up by Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman (who played superbly in this century knock) and then Y. Singh (who helped himself to a fifty with some good shots to get his confidence back). Only miracle spells from the New Zealand bowlers will stop these men.

Given the declining status of test cricket and the rising of Twenty20, let's hope this match gets a result - hopefully at the end of day 5, just to finish off what has been an entertaining tour. My money's still on India though!