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Sun, 25 September 2016
Kanpur Test: Ashwin's triple strike reduces NZ to 93-4 at stumps

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17:00   Ashwin's triple strike reduces NZ to 93-4 at stumps


STUMPS - DAY 4

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NZ 93-4 (37 ovs); Target: 434 | Scorecard

At stumps on the penultimate day, New Zealand reach 93 for four in 37 overs, still needing another 341 runs for victory. But their main focus would be on batting out the final day with just six wickets in hand, an improbable task considering the nature of the pitch.

Ronchi played a good hand of 38 not out from 58 balls, while Santner was unbeaten on eight from 50 balls.

Ashwin completed his 200th Test wicket, claiming 3-68 in 16 overs to leave the visitors in tatters in their second innings.

With three sessions still to come on the final day, India would be confident of finishing off the Kiwis and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
16:56   Ashwin's triple strike reduces NZ to 93-4 at stumps

STUMPS - DAY 4

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NZ 93-4 (37 ovs); Target: 434 | Scorecard

After a couple of overs from the two seamers, Jadeja and Ashwin are called back into the attack for another last go with six overs left for stumps on Day 4.

Ronchi continues his good vigil at the crease as he cuts a short ball from Ashwin behind point for a four.


16:39   Ashwin leaves NZ in tatters on Day 4


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NZ 85-4 (30 ovs); Target: 434 | Scorecard

A break for Jadeja after a good first spell of 10 overs for eight runs as he is replaced by Yadav, who gets his first bowl of the day.

He starts with a wide half volley which Ronchi crashes through the covers for a four for another confident shot.

Ronchi is looking good out in the middle. This time he decides to target India's best bowler, clubbing Ashwin down the ground over long-on for a six.

Ashwin nearly bags another wicket as left-hander Santner sees one spin big past the edge of the bat. Another quiet over from Yadav follows before Ashwin is rested after a superb first spell of three for 60 in 13 overs, making way for Shami.

The two spinners get a break with Shami and Yadav bowling in tandem. Ronchi guides a wide delivery from Shami through point for a four to take New Zealand to 85 for four in 30 overs, still needing 349 runs for victory.
16:08   Taylor run out for 17, NZ lose 4th wicket


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NZ 59-4 (22 ovs); Target: 434 | Scorecard

Luke Ronchi batted positively in the first innings and he is looking adopt a similar approach in this innings too.

A full delivery from Ashwin is smashed straight back past mid-off for a four. He skies the last ball high as he looks to hit it over the off-side but Vijay running back is unable to get to the catch.

Ronchi picks up three runs in the process to take New Zealand past the 50-run mark, in the 20th over.

In the next over, Ronchi survives a huge appeal for LBW appeal with the umpire also asking Jadeja not to get in his view after delivering the ball.

Yadav, who dropped Taylor earlier in the innings, gets his man as he scores a run out with a direct hit from deep midwicket.

Infact, Taylor will be kicking himself as he made the crease but failed to ground his bat and was run out for 17. That is poor stuff from the experienced Kiwi batsman to leave his team in further strife as they are reduced to 56 for four in the 14th over. They are in real danger of getting bowled out on Day 4 itself.

Ronchi slaps a short ball from Ashwin through the covers for three runs as Vijay makes a good sliding stop inside the ropes.
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15:51   Ashwin claims 200th Test wicket, NZ lose Williamson


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NZ 45-3 (18 ovs); Target: 434 | Scorecard

Williamson delaying Jadeja but taking a lot of time between each delivery. The left-arm spinner is ready to bowl but has to wait quite long as Williamson goes to the side of the pitch and takes his time to get ready to face the next delivery.

Williamson plays an unconvincing shot off Ashwin as he lofts him over the leg side but fails to time it. He is lucky that with some many fielders close in, it fell on the empty spaces on the leg side and went for a four.

But Ashwin gets his man two balls later, trapping him leg before wicket to complete his 200 wickets in Test cricket and becoming the second fastest to achieve the feat in the longer format.

Ashwin is the fastest Indian to complete 200 wickets in Tests, from just 37 matches, just behind Australia's Clarrie Grimmett, who achieved the feat in 36 games.

Williamson played back to a full delivery as he looked to defend but missed and was caught in front to be dismissed for 25 and leave New Zealand reeling on 43 for three, in the 18th over.
15:41   Williamson, Taylor steady NZ after early wickets


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NZ 37-2 (16 ovs); Target: 434 | Scorecard

Williamson plays another good shot, standing tall and punching it straight down the ground past mid-off for a wonderful boundary. In the same over, Taylor survives a huge shout for LBW as he again goes back to defend but is beaten.

In the next over, Taylor finally gets one off the middle, cutting a short wide delivery from Jadeja through point for a four.

Taylor is enjoying a charmed life out in the middle. He looks to sweep Ashwin only to top edge it but Umesh Yadav at square leg fails to take the catch as it goes between his fingers for a four and captain Kohli is unhappy with the effort.

India's fielding has been disappointing in the second innings. After the earlier drop by Yadav, his fast bowling partner Shami fails to stop a drive from Taylor to gift a boundary.

New Zealand are 37 for two in 16 overs with another 397 runs needed for victory.

Williamson (21) and Taylor (13) have put on a 34-run stand to steady New Zealand after the two early wickets.
15:25  


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NZ 21-2 (12 ovs); Target: 434 | Scorecard

Following Ashwin's double strike, Kohli immediately brings on left-arm spinner Jadeja from the other end. He starts off well, sticking to the basics by just looking to bowl in the correct areas and not trying to do much.

Ashwin is threatening with every delivery. The big spinning delivery cuts Ross Taylor into half as he plays from the crease and the Indians go up in appeal but the umpire turns it down. He looks to sweep but hits the fielder at short leg which is taken on the rebound by Jadeja who appeals but again it hit the initial fielder on the bounce and the umpire rejects it.

The Kiwis nearly have a run out as both Williamson and Taylor have a huge misunderstanding but the throw is at the wrong end.

Taylor is keen to break free with a few big hits. He gives Jadeja the charge but gets it off the inside half of the bat to the short leg fielder who is unable to collect the ball cleanly with Taylor way outside his crease.

Jadeja then beats Williamson all ends up with one that turns and bounce, that was unplayable and the Kiwi captain must feel lucky that it didn't take the edge.

Ashwin drops short as Williamson rocks back and hits it through the off-side for three runs. The next ball is again short as Taylor pulls it but can't beat the fielder at deep midwicket for just a single.

Ross Taylor gets a lifeline as he survives a close LBW shout. He is beaten by the sharp turning delivery from Ashwin and is struck in front of the stumps on the backfoot. That was dead plumb but umpire Richard Kettleborough turns down the appeal, perhaps thinking the ball would have slipped down the leg side.


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14:52   Ashwin's double strike rocks New Zealand early


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NZ 3-2 (4 ovs); Target: 434 | Scorecard

Mohammed Shami to open the bowling for India as he hits Tom Latham on the pads off the first ball but the appeal for LBW is turned down.

The second ball is a bouncer which Latham looks to defend but is struck on the gloves before he gets the fifth ball away on the off-side for one.

India wasting no time as Ravichandran Ashwin is called into the attack to bowl the second over.

The first ball turns big as Latham comes forward to defend but is beaten all ends up. This is a ominous sign for the Kiwis with Ashwin getting turn and bounce right from the start.

He edges the third ball as it goes through point for a single to get away from strike. Martin Guptill sees off the last two deliveries as Ashwin makes a good start.

The off-spinner strikes in his next over as Guptill is caught at silly point for a duck. The Kiwi opener looks to slog it across the line through the leg side but ends up getting a bottom edge which goes off his shoes and is taken by Rohit close on the off-side.

Kane Williamson immediately brings out the sweep for a single as the short fine leg fielder fumbles.

Ashwin makes it two wickets in the over. Latham falls in the same fashion as in the first, playing down the wrong line to be dismissed leg before wicket for two.

New Zealand in tatters at three for two in the fourth over.
14:13   India set NZ a huge 434-run target for victory


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India 377-5dec (107.2 ovs) & 318 vs NZ 262 | Scorecard

India declare their second innings on 377 for five in 107.2 overs to set New Zealand a huge 434 for victory on a tough wicket for batting, offering a lot of assistance to the spinners.

Rohit and Jadeja hit unbeaten half-centuries to continue India's domination with the bat on Day 4. Rohit finishes unbeaten on 68, while Jadeja slammed 50 from 58 balls with the duo putting on an unbroken stand of 100 runs from 111 deliveries for the sixth wicket.

The pitch is offering the spinners a lot of turn and bounce and New Zealand would need to bat out of their skin to even force a draw in this match.
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14:10   Rohit and Jadeja hit 50s as India declare on 377-5


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India 377-5dec (107.2 ovs) & 318 vs NZ 262 | Scorecard

The 12th man comes out with another message after Jadeja played a maiden over from Wagner.

He looks to make up for it as he comes down the track to Sodhi and lofts him straight down the ground for a six. The leggie bowls a half-track which Jadeja hits past point for a couple.

The last ball is slogged over midwicket by Jadeja as Sodhi goes for 15 runs in the over.

Rohit also joins in the party as he smashes a wide delivery over the off-side for a four as eight come from Wagner's 16th over.

Part-timer Guptill comes into the attack. He gets the first ball to turn big as Jadeja lets it go before tucking the next ball on the leg side for one.

Rohit stands tall and punches it through the covers for another single and Jadeja picks one to take his score to 49.

Jadeja turns it on the leg side for a single to complete his fifty, from 58 balls to go with his five-wicket haul.
13:53   Rohit hits fifty to extend India's lead beyond 400


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India 350-5 (103 ovs) & 318 vs NZ 262 | Scorecard

Jadeja is once again playing an useful hand with the bat, having scored 44 runs before taking five wickets with the new ball. He is now batting on 24 from 32 balls, and is involved in an unbroken stand of 66-runs for the sixth wicket with Rohit, who has played a good knock of 60 runs to push the lead at a good rate.

Jadeja clubs Sodhi over midwicket for a six to take the lead past the 400-run mark.

India are still looking to bat and score more runs. It would take a miraculous batting effort from New Zealand to get anywhere close to 400 on a day 4-day 5 pitch.

Wonder why India are delaying the declaration?
13:37   Rohit hits half-century as India extend lead on Day 4


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India 336-5 (100 ovs) & 318 vs NZ 262 | Scorecard

The singles are coming quite regularly for the Indians as Rohit and Jadeja take three singles off Wagner before the former hits the Kiwi pacer for a four through point.

He pulls the next ball but fails to make proper connection and gets a single which brings up his half-century from 75 balls.

Sodhi comes back as the runs keep coming at a good rate with three singles and a double to make it five from his 17th over.

Wagner also goes for five in the next over as India reach 336 for five in 100 overs, for an overall lead of 392 runs.
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13:17   Rohit, Jadeja build India's lead on Day 4


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India 318-5 (97 ovs) & 318 vs NZ 262 | Scorecard

A promotion for Jadeja as he walks out at No. 7 after his good knock at No. 9 in the first innings when he hit a quickfire 42.

Boult overpitches as Rohit plays a nice drive through the covers for a four. He tries to repeat the shot off the next ball but this time Boult gets the edge but it flies through the vacant slip region for another four.

Some message seems to have reached Rohit, who is some more urgency. He cuts Santner behind point and urges Jadeja to come back for the second before hitting an uppish drive through the covers for a four.

In the next over, Jadeja cuts Boult through point for a four to take India past the 300-run mark, in the 94th over followed by a single each for the two batsmen.

Santner follows it up with a good maiden over as Rohit defends watchfully.

Meanwhile, Jadeja decides to cut loose against Wagner, who replaces Boult. He hits the first ball through the leg side for two runs before coming down the track and lofting the next ball over mid-off for a four.

Good knock from Rohit this, under pressure to score, and he is doing well to get the runs at a fair clip despite not taking risks. Santner looks tired as he drops short yet again and Rohit pulls it over square leg for a four to take his score to 44.

India are 318 for five in 97 overs, the same score they were bowled out for in the first innings. The handy first innings lead means that India are 374 runs ahead.
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12:52   Rahane out for 40, India lose 5th wicket


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India 287-5 (89 ovs) & 318 vs NZ 262 | Scorecard

New Zealand take the second new ball and it is Santner, who will bowl with it. The second ball is short and Rahane slaps it through the off-side for a four before he is beaten off the fifth ball as the spinner gets good amount of bounce.

Pacer Boult comes into the attack for the first time on Day 4 as Rahane forces one through the off-side for a four.

Rahane survives a huge shout for LBW in the next over from Santner. But he falls off the very next delivery, this time the edge is pouched by Taylor to his right at slip.

Rahane walks back for 40 as India are reduced to 278 for five in 89 overs.
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12:30   Rahane, Rohit extend India's lead on Day 4


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India 267-4 (86 ovs) & 318 vs NZ 262 | Scorecard

New Zealand not taking the second new ball as off-spinner Craig resumes proceedings after the lunch break.

Rahane chips down the track to the first ball and defends before he sweeps the next ball square for a four to show his intent right away. The last ball is short but Rahane can only pull it to deep square for a single.

Santner to operate from the other end. The first ball is short as Rahane punches it to sweeper cover for a single and Rohit also picks a single as the two batsmen look to be busy and keep the runs coming.

Williamson comes into the attack after just one over from Craig at the start of the post-lunch session. Rohit and Rahane milk him for four singles in the over before Santner sends down a maiden.

India are 267 for four in 85 overs, as the lead swells to 323 runs with another 59 overs left on Day 4.
12:28   Rahane, Rohit take India's lead past 300-run mark


LUNCH - DAY 4

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India 252-4 (81 ovs) & 318 vs NZ 262 | Scorecard

At lunch on Day 4, India are sitting pretty on 252-4 in 81 overs, having stretched their lead to 308 runs with five more sessions still left in the match.

Rahane, who was dropped twice in a single over off Craig, was unbeaten on 21, while Rohit was not out on 12.

New Zealand kept chipping away at the wickets in the morning and didn't let India run away with the game as they claimed three wickets in 34 overs while giving away 93 runs.

Vijay was the first wicket to fall on Day 2, trapped leg before wicket by Santner for 76 after he had put on 133 runs from 229 balls for the second wicket with Pujara, who played a good innings of 78.

Captain Kohli suffered his second failure of the match, caught at deep midwicket for 18.

It remains to be seen how long India bat in the post-lunch session and how their approach will be after the break. No doubt they will be looking to score some quick runs and get New Zealand in at the earliest.
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11:19   Rahane, Rohit take India's lead past 300-run mark


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India 248-4 (77 ovs) & 318 vs NZ 262 | Scorecard

Double lifeline for Rahane (14) as he dropped twice in the 74th over and the unlucky bowler is off-spinner Craig.

The second ball was nudged to Luke Ronchi at leg slip, who failed to hold on to a low catch, perhaps he was standing a step or two deep. Two balls later, Rahane chips down the track and looks to hit it through the leg side but Williamson at short midwicket was unable to take the sharp catch.

Rohit is gifted a full toss by Sodhi which he hits back over the bowler's head for a four, that will make him feel good.

In the next over, Rahane and Rohit take a single each to extend India's lead to 300 runs.

A first bowler for the first time on Day 4 as Neil Wagner is called into the attack. The second ball is on the pads as Rohit flicks it fine for a four. He is caught in two minds off the fifth ball as he looks to play before making a late call to leave it as it hits the bottom of the bat.
11:06   Pujara out for 78, India lose 4th wicket


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India 228-4 (71 ovs) & 318 vs NZ 262 | Scorecard

Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi comes back and strikes with the key wicket of Pujara. Bowling from round the wicket Sodhi gets it to turn big from the rough outside the leg stumps as Pujara looks to defend but is caught at slip by Ross Taylor.

Pujara walks back after a good innings of 78 from 152 balls, hitting 10 fours.

New batsman Rohit Sharma defends the remaining three deliveries to end a good over from Sodhi.

This will be a big innings for Rohit, considering his Test career which has struggled to take off. Another failure here and he could lose his spot for the next game.
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10:40   Kohli falls for 18, India lose 3d wicket


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India 218-3 (68 ovs) & 318 vs NZ 262 | Scorecard

Kohli gets a thick outside edge as he looks to drive Santner through the off-side but again it flies away from the fielder at point and goes for a four.

The left-armer then bowls a beauty, dragging the Indian captain forward who looks to defend but is beaten all ends up before he retains strike with a single from the last ball.

In the next over, Kohli sweeps Craig for a single to fine leg as he looks to keep the scoreboard moving and get some momentum back in the Indian innings.

Pujara, who had been struggling to score in the last few overs, finally breaks the shackles as he rocks back and hits a short ball through the covers for a four.

Santner has a confident shout for LBW turned down against Kohli as the batsman came forward to defend and the ball looked to have struck both the bat and pad at the same time. Tough call for the umpire and he gives the benefit of doubt to the batsman.

Another failure for Kohli as he looks to sweep Craig but ends up getting caught at deep midwicket for 18.

A bit more bounce caused Kohli's downfall as he looked to sweep it square but ended up getting a top edge, straight into the hands of the fielder in the deep, giving Craig his 50th wicket in Test cricket.

Ajinkya Rahane gets off the mark in some style as he punches a short ball from Craig through the covers for a four.
10:13  


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India 196-2 (60 ovs) & 318 vs NZ 262 | Scorecard

Sodhi gifts new batsman Virat Kohli a freebie, as the Indian captain pulls a short delivery through midwicket for a boundary to get going.

In the next over from Santner, Kohli nearly ends up dragging one back on to his stumps as he decides to leave it at the last minute but gets an inside edge which hits the pads and misses the stumps narrowly.

Mark Craig comes into the attack. Kohli plays another loose shot as he looks to pull the off-spinner and is early into the shot but is lucky that the fielder at fine leg was halfway inside the boundary and not on the ropes as the ball bounces well inside and goes for a four.

India are 196 for two in 60 overs, for an overall lead of 252 runs with Pujara batting on 67 and Kohli on 11.
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10:00   Vijay out for 76, India lose 2nd wicket


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India 186-2 (57 ovs) & 318 vs NZ 262 | Scorecard

Santner finally makes the breakthrough with the wicket of Vijay, who is trapped leg before wicket by Santner for 76.

The previous delivery went away from him, taking the edge but falls safely on the off-side.

The next ball slides in with the arm, catching Vijay on the crease as the umpires upholds the LBW appeal but the right-hander is not that impressed with the decision.

Vijay walks back after a fine innings of 76, having hit eight fours and a six in his 170-ball knock, having put on 133 runs for the second wicket with Pujara to lay a solid foundation for the Indians.
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09:46   Vijay, Pujara extend India's lead on Day 4


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India 177-1 (55 ovs) & 318 vs NZ 262 | Scorecard

Pujara survives a confident shout for leg before wicket as he offers no shot to one outside the off-stump from Santner. Maybe the umpire felt that the ball did not turn enough to hit the stumps but that was a dangerous leave from Pujara.

Vijay makes his intent clear as he lofts the first ball of Sodhi's new over back over his head for a four.

A few deliveries he hits an uppish drive through the covers but fails to time as it falls just short of the fielder in the covers.

In the next over, Vijay looks to slog sweep Santner but fails to make connection as the ball spins away.

The ball has been doing things for the spinner but so far the two Indian batsmen have been relatively untroubled.

India are cruising on 178 for one in 55 overs for an overall lead of 233 runs.
09:27  


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India 163-1 (50 ovs) & 318 vs NZ 262 | Scorecard

Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi to open the bowling for NZ on Day 4. Cheteshwar Pujara drives the third ball through the covers for a single to the fielder in the deep before Murali Vijay defends the rest of the over.

Spin from both ends as Mitchell Santner comes on from the other end. The first ball grips and turns as Pujara comes forward to defend but is beaten. He watchfully defends the rest of the over before taking a single from the last ball to retain strike.

Sodhi also getting a lot of turn as Pujara continues to defend and play it late. The last ball is short as Pujara cuts it square on the off-side for two runs with the fielder making a diving stop to save a boundary.

After 50 overs, India are 163 for one having extended their lead to 219 runs. Pujara is batting on 54, while Vijay is on 64 with the second-wicket partnership growing to 111 runs.
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09:05   India aim to stretch lead, NZ eye quick wkts on Day 4
Welcome to the coverage of Day 4 of the first Test between India and New Zealand in Kanpur, on Sunday.

India dominated the third day to finish on 159 for one at stumps, extending their overall lead to 215 runs with nine wickets in hand.

Vijay stroked an unbeaten 64 from 152 balls, while Pujara stroked his way to 50 from 80 balls with the duo having added 107 runs for the second wicket so far.

New Zealand failed to take a wicket in the post-tea session as India scored at a good rate to amass 107 runs in 28.5 overs.

India will look to continue getting the runs and declare somewhere towards the close of the second session, giving them four sessions to bowl out New Zealand.

Meanwhile, the visitors would be looking to claim a few early wickets on Day 4 and bring themselves back into the contest.

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