A small "series" just two test matches played while India are visiting NZ.

The Indian tour has been a disappointment. India ranked number 1 for ODI cricket were easily defeated by lowly ranked NZ (No.7)
However, Test cricket is a little different. Many players from ODI side are retained, but not all, and players more suited to Tes Match (5 day) games have been added. First of two Test Matches starts next Thursday

ANZ International Series v India

Test Match 1: BLACKCAPS v India
Thursday, 6 February 2014. Start: 11.00am
Eden Park, Auckland

Test Match 2: BLACKCAPS v India
Friday, 14 February 2014. Start 11.00am
Hawkins Basin Reserve, Wellington

ICC rankings for Tests
(20 January 2014)

1. South Africa
2. India
3. Australia
4. England
5. Pakistan
6. Sri Lanka
7. West Indies
8. New Zealand
9. Zimbabwe
   Bangladesh

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

India V NZ
First Test - Day 1

Start 11:00 AM (local) (5:00PM US EST)

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

Pitch condition... hard, grassy, green. So it will likely favour the bowling team first up. The toss could be critical. Whoever wins the toss will likely bowl.

Game is here in Auckland... and I can confirm it's overcast 9helps bowlers "swing" the ball.

I would predict some rain as well... so perhaps some delays for rain at some stage today.

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

India win the toss and will bowl first.

That is SIX times in a row that India has won the toss.... just sayin'

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

The pitch conditions are an important aspect of all cricket. For the shorter versions of the game... generally pitches favour batsmen... the spectators want to see runs scored in the limited time available... not batsmen just defending... or going out and the game over prematurely.

With test cricket... the pitch has to "last" 5 days... so often a little green and grassy at the start... but it does change over 5 days... it's all part of the "mental chess" aspect of cricket that appeals to people (like me) who follow the (proper) long version of the game.

What is required from the side batting first on this pich is to survive... not get out.... runs not important. If they survive the pitch will get easier to play on AND the ball gets softer and easier to play (a single ball is used for 80 overs and then replaced if/when the bowling side captain decides... usually it is replaced soon after 80 overs)... another critical time is surviving the second new ball

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

NZ lose their first wicket (player out)

Rutherford - caught

NZ 19/1 (10.1 overs)

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

NZ lose another

Fulton - lbw

NZ 23/2 (12.1 overs)

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

Another one bites the dust

Taylor - caught

NZ 30/3 (17.1 overs)

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

LUNCH




NZ 54/3 (24 overs)

Note that is slow progress... expect 30 overs per session... 90 in a day.

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

Williamson and McCullum have stayed in... both have scored 50's

NZ 153/3 (44 overs)

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

Funny old game cricket... India were "winning" with NZ 30/3.... but at 160/3 (nobody out this session)... NZ has momentum... look like making a great first innings score.

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

Test cricket day is 3 "sessions"

Morning start ---> Lunch
After lunch ---> "Tea break"
After tea ---> "stumps" (end of days play)

Sessions approx 2 hours... expected to bowl 30 overs in a session. Time can be made up.. play go overtime to try and get to 90 overs for the day. There are penalties (financial - captain fined) for bowling side deemed to be excessively slow... but it rarely happens. It is an ongoing sore point that some teams have a very slow over rate when bowling.

Teat cricket is played with a red ball... in daylight and never under lights... toward the end of the day play can be called off due to bad light. That should NOT be an issue today... it is now a bright sunny day here in Auckland... should be light past 6:30PM

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

It's "Tea Break" now.

Only 51 overs bowled.. so India a bit behind the over rate (expect 60 by now)

NZ 179/3 (after 51 overs)

Tea and cucumber sandwiches... seem to be associated with cricket




Thanks for the smileys, Mal

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

NZ continue after tea.... playing positively... both batsmen approach Centuries...

Captain McCullum just brought up his Century with Flair... hit a SIX to go from 95 to 101.

Williamson on 95... so expect him to get a Century within a ball or two.

NZ 225/3 (58 overs)

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

NZ 288/4 after 80 overs.

McCullum is still there 130 (off 188 balls)


The new ball is available since we have had 80 overs... India is taking it straight away.

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

The game has gone into overtime and they will now get through 90 overs... last one being bowled as I type.

NZ At stumps (end of day's play) 329/4 (after 90 overs)

McCullum still batting 143 (off 210 balls)

Anderson the other not out batsman over night 42 (off 78 balls)

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

India V NZ
First Test - Day 2

Start 11:00 AM (local) (5:00PM US EST)

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

Not sure play will start on time.... its light drizzle in my part of Auckland.

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

Weather slightly better at Eden Park... play starting

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

The ball has been replaced... that happens occasionally... it gets damaged or just goes out of shape... the bowling side can always ask... up to umpires' decision. The are suppose to replace with a ball that has been used for about the same number of overs. They keep a stock of used balls at various stages of use.

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