THE BEST OF BLACK CAPS

 

Image Credit- ICC Cricket

Venue- The Rose Bowl, Southampton [June, 2021].

New Zealand were facing India in the final of the inaugural ICC Test Championship. Initially the game was supposed to take place in Lords. However due to Covid-19 restrictions the venue was shifted to the Rose Bowl. In a bowling friendly condition, New Zealand Captain Kane Williamson won the toss and elected to field first. 

Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill gave India a solid start as they stitched an opening stand of 62 runs in 21 overs. However the Kiwis made a comeback as India lost three wickets in quick time and the Indian scorecard at one point read 88/3. At this stage Kohli was joined by Rahane in the middle. The duo defended the deliveries which were hard to play and played shots on the loose ones. It appeared that Kohli and Rahane will take India to a respectable total. However all rounder Kyle Jamieson picked up the wicket of Kohli at a crucial juncture [Ind 149/4] and broke the spine of Indian batting lineup. Post that no Indian batsman lasted long and at the end of 93 overs, Indians were bowled out for mere 217 runs in the first innings. Rahane was the top run scorer for India as he scored a crucial 49 in such a tough wicket. Kyle Jamieson was the leading wicket taker for the Kiwis as he picked up 5 wickets in the first innings.

In response the Kiwis scored 249 runs in their first innings. Devon Conway scored a wonderful half-century whereas Williamson scored a crucial 49. Mohammed Shami [4] and Ishant Sharma [3] were the leading wicket takers for the Indians. However the Kiwis managed to take a crucial lead of 32 runs.  

It is pertinent to note that due to rain a lot of time was lost. Furthermore because of the summer showers, the ultimate test went to the sixth day. In the morning of the 6th day the Indian scorecard read 64/2. They had a lead of 32 runs. Furthermore their best batters Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara were on the crease. 98 overs were left in the day and everyone was expecting an exciting contest. 

However it were the men in black who came strong on the ultimate day. The Kiwi pacers were simply unplayable. The Indians were bowled out for mere 170 runs in their second innings. The Kiwis needed just 139 runs to win the game and lift the mace. It was never going to be easy to defend such a small total. Despite this, Indian bowlers tried their best to tame the Kiwi batsmen, but skipper Williamson and Ross Taylor had a different plan in their minds. They batted sensibly and took their team to victory. Williamson played a captain's knock of 52 as the Kiwis chased down 139 with 8 wickets remaining. 

Kyle Jamieson was awarded the man of the match award for his all round performance as the Kiwis lifted the test mace. The 21 years wait finally came to an end. The Kiwis were on the top of the world. 

To watch the highlights of the test, Click Here.