Kiwis delay the inevitable

If the way the New Zealand team played on the 3^rd day against Australia was taken, it was as though the New Zealand team would end their second innings well before the end of the 4^th day itself when, in addition to losing the remaining 6 wickets in the first innings, they lost another 5 wickets in their second innings as well. This no doubt gave hints of a New Zealand batting collapse even before the 4^th day of the test match ended. However, this was no to be when the Kiwis, unlike in the first innings didn't lose more than 1 wicket with their scorecard at the end of the day's play reading 369/6.

The score at the end of the third day's play read 187 runs for the loss of 5 wickets, meaning the New Zealand batsmen could score an additional score of 182 runs in the process losing just 1 wicket which was that of their captain Daniel Vettori and not before he scored a solid 77 runs which also involved a 126 run partnership along with Brendon McCullum who was unbeaten on 94 at the end of the day's play. If any team is given a first glance, the very first thing that would be noticed would be the captain and the wicketkeeper and the same captain and the wicketkeeper doing a fab job for his team is a rare feat for any team.

It was their captain Daniel Vettori and the wicket keeper Brendon McCullum who were in an attempt to save some face for the New Zealand team, which would have otherwise seen their team losing the match by an innings on the fourth day itself. Even Bangladesh who are facing England on the other side of the globe are considered, the match is not found to finish before the 5^th day commences. But, New Zealand evoked fears among the fans by losing 11 wickets on the third day's play. However, it was good that the duo settled the issue for the New Zealand.

Any team barring Bangladesh and West Indies (off late) have to rethink about their position in test cricket in case they lose a home series and more so in case the defeat is by an innings. Now that the Kiwis have avoided the innings, atleast some consideration though they are bound to lose the match. But still, a better performance was expected from the Kiwis with the likes of Vettori and Guptill who have a great potential to turn around things for their team. When they could do it in the second innings, there can be hardly any reasons that can be guessed for them not being able to do the same in the first innings.