India tour of New Zealand 2014

[rkt.india]

One of our top spells as a unit - Zaheer

Zaheer Khan has said that dismissing New Zealand for 105 was one of the best collective Indian bowling efforts he has been part of. The performance brought India back from a first-innings deficit of 301, and Zaheer said the visitors had gained the advantage, having ended the day on 87 for 1 in their pursuit of 407. "Definitely one of the top spells we have bowled as a unit," Zaheer said. "Brilliant performance by the bowlers. As a bowling unit we clicked. It was a collective effort. That is what is crucial when we get teams out for low totals. Last time I remember was in Trinidad in 2001, (when) we had a similar kind of innings where all the bowlers chipped with three wickets. That was a collective effort." Ishant Sharma was the most successful of the Indian bowlers with a match haul of nine wickets, and Zaheer said it was good to see him convert his experience of 54 Tests into results. "He has come a long way. It is important that he picks up wickets. He has been around for a while. Definitely has the potential to create that impact at this level and happy that he is among the wickets." Backing up the bowlers were Ravindra Jadeja and Ajinkya Rahane, whose sharp catches accounted for the key wickets of Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor. India had dropped a few in the first innings, and Zaheer said it was crucial they held them this time. "Important thing was brilliant catching as well in the slip cordon. We held our catches and that really made a difference." India's lengths were also different to the ones they bowled in the first innings. Their fast bowlers had overdone the short ball as New Zealand racked up 503 but the lengths were fuller in the second innings. Zaheer said different strategies were at work both times. "That was the plan in the first innings. We wanted to be aggressive as a bowling unit," he said. "Bowling bouncers was one of our plans. In the second innings we went in with the approach that we have to focus on bowling areas and that really worked for us." Zaheer said the pressure created by the Indian attack, and not the Eden Park pitch, was the reason for New Zealand's capitulation. "Pitch is looking good. What really got to them was the pressure I guess and some disciplined bowling by our bowlers. I don't think the pitch has changed a great deal. In fact, it has got better, if at all." The pitch did not offer much as the ball got older. It was the new ball that produced wickets in the first three innings, and Zaheer said it was crucial to make it count. "With the Kookaburra ball, it is important to get those early breakthroughs and with the new ball there is always a bit more help. It is good that we have seen off the new ball today and tomorrow hopefully will be a better day for us." India survived the new ball for the loss of only M Vijay and Zaheer said they were in front now. "Definitely. The momentum is with us and we will look to capitalise on that. It was important that we have a good start, which we got today. So it's important to start well tomorrow morning."

http://www.espncricinfo.com/new-zealand-v-india-2014/content/story/717397.html Shami and Jadeja wake India up

The New Zealand nightmare was becoming longer and longer for India. Someone had to pinch them hard and rouse them up from this slumber where nothing was going right. Four defeats in the ODIs followed by a 301-run deficit in the first Test is enough to sap confidence. They had bowled 121.4 overs to New Zealand at Eden Park and then batted less than half that number. On the third morning, they lost their last six wickets in 16 overs. Usually, a shell-shocked unit turns up to go through the motions in such a scenario, follow-on or not. New Zealand could have bashed a quick 200 or 250, set India an impossible target, and unleashed their four fast bowlers again. Was there a way out of this for India? Cricket is a team game, but teams often need extraordinary individual sparks to come together in seemingly hopeless circumstances. Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja answered that call for India. The pair had gone for a combined 2 for 215 in the first innings, but in the second they were so intense that New Zealand were forced to live the nightmare, slumping to 25 for 5 in startlingly quick time. To remain hopeful in dire circumstances requires optimism, but to back that up by playing with so much conviction takes immense self-belief. From the first ball of the second innings, Shami went at New Zealand with all he had, sprinting in and hurling down one testing delivery after another. His run-up of long strides is usually energetic but throughout his spell of 10-1-30-3, Shami was like a high-power locomotive that had been unhinged from its load of wagons. Shami seemed like making something happen almost every ball. No other Indian fast bowler - not even a New Zealand one - appeared so menacing through an entire spell, and that too an extended one. His length was fuller, but he did not overpitch, making it hard for batsmen to come forward. Shami struck in each of his first two overs, and New Zealand were unable to recover from that shock. His delivery to trap Hamish Rutherford lbw for a golden duck was a peach - fast, pitched-up, moving in. Peter Fulton played a poor shot in Shami's second over, but you could argue it was the bowler who had made the batsman play without moving his feet, having pegged him back with a short at the body the previous delivery. Shami could have had three wickets in three overs, including that of Ross Taylor for a golden duck, had an outside edge travelled to gully. He did add a third scalp, though, by bowling Corey Anderson soon after lunch with a skiddy delivery. Zaheer Khan was impressed with Shami, saying his ability to strike in clusters placed him above merely good bowlers. "He is a great prospect for India and has had some brilliant performances," Zaheer said. "No doubt he is a match-winner. His quality to take wickets in bunches is what decides him from a good bowler to a really, really good bowler. Shami has got that quality, he has shown that quality in whatever little cricket he has played and with experience he is going to get better." After the New Zealand openers, India had to deal with Kane Williamson, who had gone past fifty each time on this tour. India, however, found another individual spark to end this threat. Jadeja had failed to perform his containing role in the first innings, conceding 120 in 26 overs. He had fought with the bat, though, making an unbeaten 30 as the rest capitulated around him. Still, it was his energy in the field that made a vital impact. It is not easy to react so quickly at short midwicket, put in a dive and snap up a well-timed clip, but Jadeja did exactly that to dismiss Williamson. What followed was inspirational. M Vijay had dropped Brendon McCullum in the last over before lunch, and New Zealand would have gone into the break with their two experienced men, McCullum and Taylor, still around. McCullum is faster than Jadeja, so for the batsman to be caught so far short of the crease while attempting a second run, shows how accurate Jadeja's ball-chase and throw was. Jadeja might have an innocuous presence, but he produces these moments so often that a captain will always have multiple uses for him. India had let New Zealand escape from 30 for 3 in the first innings, but Shami and Jadeja made sure that no such turnaround occurred this time. The batsmen may or may not achieve the target of 407, but they ensured India had finally woken up in New Zealand.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/new-zealand-v-india-2014/content/story/717393.html

[Switchblade]

New Zealand not pressing the panic button yet: Wagner http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournament/india-in-new-zealand-2014/top-stories/New-Zealand-not-pressing-the-panic-button-yet-Wagner/articleshow/30046858.cms New Zealand bowler Neil Wagner on Saturday said that the hosts will not be hitting the panic button just yet as they are confident of taking remaining Indian wickets needed for victory in the first Test. At stumps on day three, India still need 320 runs for a win after bundling out the Black Caps for just 105 runs in their second innings. This was after India had replied with only 202 to hosts' first innings score of 503. "It's a bit of a bitter-sweet day. We started off really well with the ball this morning and it was a great result to get them out for the score we did. Obviously, the batting after that really wasn't ideal stuff but at the end of the day, we are pretty happy with where we are," said Wagner. "There are still a lot of runs on the board left to get and if we bowl well, we can get the nine wickets if we start off well tomorrow morning. It doesn't look like an ideal scenario but at the start of the game, we would have taken this any day," the left-arm pacer said. The big question everyone wanted an answer for - why the hosts didn't opt to enforce the follow on, despite taking a sizeable advantage in the first innings. "Everybody was very happy with the decision. It was a bit of a time for the bowlers to freshen up a little bit, have a quick ice bath and have the legs ready enough for the second innings. It gave us a little bit of time to get reset and refocus on what we need to do," said the 27-year-old. Thereafter, Mohammad Shami took 3-37 and Ishant Sharma followed up his six-wicket haul in the first innings with 3-28 to blow the Kiwi batsmen away, on a pitch that seemed to have improved for batting today. "Credit, where credit is due and India bowled very well today. Shami in particular started them off very well. They bowled a better length on that wicket than they did in the first innings. They were very patient and definitely asked very good questions at the start. "They bowled very well and that's why they got rewards for it. I don't think we batted poorly or badly. I think it's just the nature of the game. Sometimes the bowlers are allowed to bowl well and so they did," he said. Facing a stiff target, India finished the day at 87 for one, with Shikhar Dhawan (49) and Cheteshwar Pujara (22) at the crease, and six sessions remaining in this Test match. Wagner said Sunday morning will be crucial and the hosts will look to get early breakthroughs. "As soon as the effect of the roller wore off, there was a little bit of inconsistency and bit more pace and bounce in the wicket. That's why I think morning will be crucial. Get one wicket, then maybe get two and then get on a bit of a roll like we did in the first innings. "I think the key is just to be patient and not go searching too much. We still have got quite a few runs left to play with. If we bowl really well and get two quick wickets, we are definitely in the hunt. We have two top-class bowlers in (Trent) Boult and Timmy (Southee). The way they have been performing this whole summer has been outstanding. No doubt tomorrow morning they will come hard," Wagner signed off.

[Switchblade]

Yeah knock off 70 runs with a max wicket down and looking at a less than 250 to chase with 8 in hand. They are not going to be generous - never are but I would be extra wary given ishants ugly incident with their tailenders (clearly was not required to be honest what was to be gained?). Will be a fantastic days play - dhawan has to find a way to score again tomorrow. Back rohit to get a 50 again.

What happened did Ishant said something to them ? 330 to get batting is limited with tail starting from MSD tough to win that first innings will be the telling factor.

[GoldenSun]

If the Indians can knock off the 150 run mark without losing a wicket, i expect a nail biting chase.

[TNAmarkFrmIndia]

Dhawan has to get a 80 odd for us to stand a chance.

We'll need a lot more than an 80-odd from one batsman to stand a chance.

[ThePhenomenal1]

fantastic performance, we were in a tough position but fought back and now we have a chance. Still think the bowling unit needs changing. Ishant bowled well but he is never consistent. Also zak has lost pace.

[Bleed-Blue]

A Big Patnership from Pujara and Dhawan Maybe add Around 150 then The game Should Be ours

[BlueBee]

Depends. If Pujara and Kohli got a big score then we can will

[rkt.india]

We'll need a lot more than an 80-odd from one batsman to stand a chance.

Yes, set batsmen need to stay as long as possible.

[BlueBee]

That was a great performance. At least now we can dream to win this match. Otherwise.....:(

[Zap_Brannigan]

So let's get this straight...India bowled short for this pitch in the 1st innings and yet did not realize this for 500 runs until we saw NZ bowling us out cheaply. Even if the captain missed it, our senior players ( Zaheer being the only senior player apart from Dhoni in the side), what were the coaches and support staff doing? NZ played 120 overs..so there was atleast 3 breaks for these people to have chimed in.

[mancalledsting]

So let's get this straight...India bowled short for this pitch in the 1st innings and yet did not realize this for 500 runs until we saw NZ bowling us out cheaply. Even if the captain missed it' date=' our senior players ( Zaheer being the only senior player apart from Dhoni in the side), what were the coaches and support staff doing? NZ played 120 overs..so there was atleast 3 breaks for these people to have chimed in.[/quote'] Exactly- this is the reason we need a new bowling coach/advisor. Joe Dawes is a fat Aussie who is Serving no purpose.

[Number]

Good performance by the bowling unit. We have always dropped the intensity after a few breakthroughs early and allowed to build partnerships but today for a change we maintained it.

[Switchblade]

Yeah well wasn't particularly ugly but did mouth off wagner a fair bit was not necessary that. I know hard to believe but you would actually back ms the batsman a lot more than ms the skipper. I wouldn't worry too much about the 1st innings given how we managed to roll them over in their second hit pretty much evens it out and should get better for batting on the 4th day.

MS as a batsman in Test format is poor overseas he sucks big time.

[TNAmarkFrmIndia]

Yeah well the thing is if your openers do not get runs for u in a 400+ run chase might as well forget about it.

Not necessarily. India scored over 400 in South Africa when neither of our openers got a big score. It's all about getting some big partnerships. If India can get 2-3 big partnerships from even Pujara, Kohli, Sharma and/or Rahane, we could win. Key word: "could".

[Switchblade]

Now this is true just goes to show how I rate his captaincy skills :).

Main concern is we rely too much on Virat,Pujara and to some extent on Rahane and Vijay Rohit is unpredictable and then tail starts with MS which does not score at all.

[Switchblade]

Yeah I think at the moment he wants to show he can bat 'cause he is the skipper and as a result doesn't play too aggressively (natural game whatever it is). That is precisely why I would remove him as the captain and play him purely as a wk-bat - no added pressure just bat no 'undying need' to lead by example - that should free him up a bit - not much is expected of a keeper-bat anyways. Still feel his better days as a batsman are yet to come and yes he will have time and resources to attend more to this batting - weed out any glaring issues that simply cannot be tolerated at an international level.

He won't quit that's the problem his place is also questionable as a test player

[nsareen]

Morning conditions are totally different, if India manage to get through that , there is a 50-50 chance, by the end of the day India can't be more than 4-5 down to have a chance. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[express bowling]

So let's get this straight...India bowled short for this pitch in the 1st innings and yet did not realize this for 500 runs until we saw NZ bowling us out cheaply. Even if the captain missed it' date=' our senior players ( Zaheer being the only senior player apart from Dhoni in the side), what were the coaches and support staff doing? NZ played 120 overs..so there was atleast 3 breaks for these people to have chimed in.[/quote'] There does not seem be any analytical minds among the Indian think tank or support staff. The bowling coach looks especially poor. The captain is not very sharp either.

[Cricket_Hacker]

you are as clueless as koolasekala was :giggle::giggle: may be they should chuck... like mooli did :giggle: :giggle:

Mooli :hysterical: