Tim Southee claimed 5 for 61 in the second innings – four of which came in the morning session of day four – as New Zealand bundled out India for just 191, considering a slander lead of just eight runs on Monday (February 24) at the Basin Reserve. The hosts took just 1.4 overs to get the require nine runs to win the first Test of the two-match series by 10 wickets. It is also their 100th Test win.
Starting the day at 144 for 4, the onus was on Ajinka Rahane and Hanuma Vihari to see through the first hour of play. However, unfortunately India lost both their overnight batsmen withing the first four overs of the day. Rahane was caught behind off Trent Boult when the ball came back from the around the wicket angle, drew the batter forward and then nipped just about enough to catch the outside edge.
Vihari, meanwhile, was undone by a cross-seam delivery that jagged back in and disturbed his furniture. Ravichandran Ashwin, who was talking about being aggressive as batsman in the post Day 3 presser, did not last long and was trapped in front off the same bowler.
Ishant Sharma was trying to put up a resistance but Colin de Grandhomme ended his stay at the crease. Rishabh Pant chanced his arm around but fell to a sweep off Southee with Boult completing a fine catch at deep fine leg.
Southee wrapped up the innings when substitute Daryl Mitchell took a one-handed reflex catch at slips to remove Jasprit Bumrah as India lost 47 for 6 in 15.5 overs on the day. Southee finished the match with nine wickets (4/49 in first innings and 5/61 in the second innings) and adjudged as the “Man of the Match”.
Later Tom Blundell and Tom Latham knocked off the runs without much fuss to hand India their first loss of the ICC Test Championship.
The final Test of the series will be played at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch from next Saturday (February 29).
Brief Scores:
New Zealand 9/0 & 348 (Kane Williamson 89, Kyle Jamieson 44; Ishant Sharma 5/68) beat India 165 (Ajinkya Rahane 46, Mayank Agarwal 34; Kyle Jamieson 4/39) & 191 (Mayank Agarwal 58, Ajinkya Rahane 29; Tim Southee 5/61) by 10 wickets.
Player of the match: Tim Southee