Twitter
Advertisement

Shaken and stirred by Martin

After dismissing New Zealand for 459 in the first innings for a slender lead of 28, the hosts were left in total disarray in the second innings with lanky paceman Chris Martin doing most of the damage with figures of five for 25.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Before the first Test, New Zealand spearhead Chris Martin had said he was feeling confident after having spent some time with South African great Allan Donald. On Sunday afternoon, the Kiwi pacer practiced what Donald may have preached.

The 35-year-old speedster, in an outstanding exhibition of swing bowling during two spells (9-6-15-4 & 4-1-10-1), ripped apart the Indian top-order in the second innings. His bursts with the red cherry gave the match a surprise twist that puts the visiting team in the driver’s seat in the first Test at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera near here.

In the first innings, when the Kiwis were batting, it seemed like the Test was moving towards a dull draw. But Martin’s spell injected life into the match. At the end of the penultimate day’s play, India were struggling at 82/6, ahead by 110 runs.

At stumps, VVS Laxman (34*) was at the crease. Harbhajan Singh was keeping him company.

On Sunday, India had one of their their worst possible starts in recent years. Gautam Gambhir flirted with a Martin delivery and got a return ticket without troubling the scorers. The Delhi batsman hasn’t looked his usual confident self ever since he returned from an injury.

His wicket brought first innings centurions Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid together. However, an outstanding piece of fielding from substitute Martin Guptill at mid-off created confusion between the two, resulting in Sehwag’s departure.

Making matters worse, Martin induced an outside edge off Dravid. Wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins, too, got his second victim.

The Kiwi pacer had the momentum going for him and his next victim was Sachin Tendulkar. A fine in-swinger kissed the master’s bat before damaging the furniture. This disappointed the spectators, who, for the second time in four days were left heartbroken as Tendulkar failed to score his 50th Test hundred.

Next to go was Suresh Raina. The fall of the young southpaw left India tottering at 15/5. The last time India experienced something similar was at Mohali in 1999 where they were reduced to 10/4 before being bowled out for 83. Coincidentally, they were up against the same opposition.

However, on Sunday, VVS Laxman and captain MS Dhoni steadied the ship to some extent with a 50-run stand for the sixth wicket. But the relief was short-lived as skipper Daniel Vettori brought back Martin for his second spell.

Dhoni soon joined the list of Indian batsmen to drag the ball on to the stumps. This enabled Martin to complete his five-for. The tall New Zealander became the fourth visitor to claim five-wicket haul at Motera.

With a lead of 110 runs and four wickets in hand, India will hope that Laxman plays a special knock and bails them out.

Martin’s effort somewhat overshadowed Kane Williamson’s maiden century. Williamson, who started his one-day career with a duck, has had a superb start to his Test career.

The 20-year-old became the eighth Kiwi batsman to reach the three-figure mark on debut. The moment came when his leg glance bisected the wicketkeeper and leg-slip for a boundary.
Williamson continued to impress and in company of his captain Daniel Vettori added 86 runs for the sixth wicket. Ojha was the pick of the Indian bowlers as he ended up with four wickets.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement