Resilient New Zealand hang on for a draw in Kanpur Test

Resilient New Zealand hang on for a draw in Kanpur Test

New Zealand have pulled off the great escape in the opening Test match in Kanpur as the Kiwis bat out the entire fifth day to survive with just one wicket remaining in a thrilling contest between bat and ball. Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel were the last men standing for the Kiwis, with the pair sharing a priceless 52-ball partnership before bad light intervened 10 minutes before the scheduled close of play. 

Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel threw everything at the final pair as the natural light dwindled by the second at the Green Park Stadium, but the Blackcaps showed plenty of resilience to hang on till the end and earn a famous draw.

After going wicketless with the ball on debut, Rachin Ravindra delivered on his promise with the bat, surviving 91 deliveries through his resolute defence with men camped around the bat to steer New Zealand to safety in the toughest place to tour with the red ball in world cricket.

India started the final session needing an improbable six wickets to win the Test match, but on a tired pitch offering very little in terms of lateral movement or bounce, the three Indian spinners relied on their vast amount of experience and skill to take the game to its knife edge. Ravindra Jadeja removed Ross Taylor on the final ball before Tea, and the left-arm spinner struck early on after the break with the key wicket of Kane Williamson.

The Kiwi captain was relatively untroubled in his 112-ball stay at the crease, but the accurate-as ever Jadeja got one to stay low and trap Williamson on his pads. Axar Patel, meanwhile, dismissed Henry Nicholls LBW for the second time in the Test before R Ashwin broke through the defences of Tom Blundell through a large slice of luck, with the ball spinning onto the stumps after landing on a footmark.

Jadeja made things interesting with the wickets of Jamieson and Tim Southee in quick succession, but the bad light, a pitch that failed to deteriorate and the staunch resistance of Ajaz Patel and Rachin Ravindra combined to deny India the victory in Kanpur.

Earlier in the day, Tom Latham and night-watchman William Sommerville set up the draw for New Zealand, batting out the entire first session and sharing a partnership that lasted over 30 overs. Latham continued his fine form and stubborn defence from the 1st innings, while Sommerville frustrated the Indian bowlers in his 110-ball stay in the middle.

The stalemate in Kanpur ensures that it’s all to play for in the 2nd Test in Mumbai, where India will benefit from the return of their captain Virat Kohli.