LUNCH




At lunch NZ 347/5 overall lead of 101

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Tea Break



NZ continued to add to their lead, and importantly lost no players out during this session.

Records broken for a 6th wicket partnership with McCullum and Watling

McCullum is perhaps on the way to a triple century? Never done by a NZer (Martin Crowe (Russell's cousin)... former NZ Captain, managed 299 on the same ground in 1991 but was out and missed out on a triple century)

NZ 440/5 ... now lead India by 194

McCullum Not out 228 off 441 balls faced (Has past his own personal highest test score of 226)

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Back after Tea

Indian Captain and wicket keeper is going to BOWL... unusual... they have a temp wicket keeper to cover that position so that Dhoni can bowl.

A bit of a desperate move?... slow medium bowling

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

This partnership by McCullum and Watling is not only a record for NZ 6th wicket partnership.. but is close to bettering the record for all Countries.

The experiment with Dhoni only lasted one over.. he is putting pads on to resume wicket Keeping role.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

They made it... all time record 6th wicket partnership 352 runs

352 from 737 balls... passed previous record that included Sir Donald Bradman for Australia (which was second highest)

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Third new ball taken... they are able to be taken every 80 overs. So not often that there is a third one taken, but it does happen

It has WORKED since Watling is OUT

Watling 124 off 367 balls

NZ 446/6 (160.3 overs)

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

McCullum working his way up the list of all time highest scores for NZ batsman.

Just passed Glenn Turner (259) to move to number 5 on that list.

Also passed Steven Fleming (262) to move to number 4 on that list.

McCullum does that with FLAIR..... with a 6

NZ 518/6

McCullum 266 off 493 balls

Next... Brian Young (267) to pass and move to 3rd on the list of all time highest scores by a NZ batsman

No 2 is Fleming again (274), and number 1 is Martin Crowe's 299

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

McCullum passed Young

McCullum 269* (499 balls)

3rd highest score ever by NZ batsman.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Time-wise.... at 705 minutes (so far) this McCullum innings is the LONGEST ever by a NZer

McCullum has equaled Fleming's 274 to now be 2nd= in regards runs scored

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

As well as being a large total to achieve any way, opportunities to score a triple century are RARE in cricket.... so this is a big deal if McCullum can achieve it.

And the NZ team score lead over India has just passed 300

NZ 546/6 lead India by 300

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

McCullum has 276 (514) so he now has the all time 2nd highest score by a NZ batsman

Only 5 overs remain tonight... so we are unlikely to see the Triple century today... but it could well be achieved early tomorrow.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

At Stumps day 4

NZ 571/6 lead by 325

McCullum is 281(525)


Day 5 promises to produce a milestone in the history of NZ cricket (and world cricket)

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

DAY 5

Funny old game cricket... as they say


I have to say...This test match started as a bit of a boring match. NZ bowled out cheaply. Nether side showing a huge amount of talent on the day. However... the beauty of test match cricket is that it is Dynamic... the game can change completely session to session within a day, and certainly over the 5 days.

NZ looked to be headed for certain defeat on day one... and an early defeat well short of 5 days. They were behind India throughout the first 3 days, but the game was less than riveting, result apparently inevitable.. But that all changed yesterday. The game is very much alive again and mid way through yesterday the result was still in the balance. Either side could win... or perhaps either side could play to survive and save themselves from a loss with a draw. NZ's batting efforts yesterday (especially McCullm, but others as well) not only saved NZ from a loss... but put them increasingly in a position to win. Bear in mind that Cricket tests do often end in draws. It is an aspect of the game to at least "save the game" by (essentially) playing out time and settling for a draw rather than a loss. NZ went beyond saving the game to put themselves in a strong position to win.
In doing so.... yesterday saw NZ and international records broken, A big aspect of test cricket is the history... the vast statistical records about every aspect of the game,... for teams, individual, playing locations etc.
It was a big deal that McCullum and Watling broke the record for number of runs for the 6th wicket. Going past any record that includes Sir Donald Bradman rates international attention... Bradman being arguably the greatest cricketer of all time.
And... McCullum individually has past all but one of the greatest NZ cricketers to be number 2 in regards individual score. I recall clearly the occasion when Martin Crowe set that record of 299 (in 1991)... just missing out on being the first NZer ever to score 300.. such occasions are historic events that one does not forget.

Today promises to be a day to remember too. The prospect of McCullum scoring 300 has drawn International attention. A big deal in the International cricket world.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Play commences today 11:00AM local time (5PM EST)

There will be a large international crowd watching

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

McCullum is only 2 off the 300 milestone


In the meantime Neeesham just scored a Century on debut

100 off 125 balls

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

McCullum does it with flair as always... a 4 to bring up the 300

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

And..... sadly.... McCullum OUT caught 2 balls later.

Often happens... lapse of concentration after such a long intense innings to get to a milestone.


IMO NZ could declare now? Give themselves as much time as possible to bowl India out.

The target for India is 380..... impossible? But NZ can win if they can bowl India out


NZ 626/7 they lead India by 380

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

NZ declared at 680...

(for 8 wickets declared in 210.0 overs) 680

After 4 overs

Lunch: INDIA - 10/0 in 4.0 overs

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

The overall target for India is 435

NZ require to bowl India out.


After lunch... 2 early wickets


India 24/2 after 9 overs

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

India can't possibly win from here. So NZ can afford to set very attacking fielder placement....

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light