Counterpunching and Stonewalling: The Napier Test Review

Neither side deserved to lose this test. The fact that both India and New Zealand needed to pile on a mountain of runs to get themselves into positions of authority or safety might be a damning indictment of the flatness of the pitch, but that shouldn't take anything away from what was one of the more absorbing tests in recent memory. The teams will go to Wellington knowing the series is very much alive, but they have much to draw on from this contest which makes the tour finale a mouth-watering prospect.

The start of NZ's innings on the first day was a strange one in hindsight, with the top three giving the impression that there was a devil in the wicket. In the first session at least, Zaheer Khan and to a lesser extent Ishant Sharma made the ball talk. Three down for 27 and you could be forgiven for thinking a rerun of Hamilton was in the offing, what with Ross Taylor living dangerously and Jesse Ryder going about his own business seemingly oblivious to the events at the other end. However, the pair who have long been billed the torchbearers of future kiwi batting finally made it count. Prior to this test, they tallied three centuries between them and a string of half-centuries, but these efforts had rarely translated into positions of complete dominance. Taylor rode his luck a fair amount, and perhaps needs to tighten his game the way he has so wonderfully done to his one-day play. Nevertheless he was devastating when settled. Ryder was pure class at the other end, unhurried and in no trouble at all. His 201 was a worthy effort for the man-of-the-match award, and though his anger (at himself) upon being dismissed came in for criticism, it was actually a positive sign; NZ need players with an insatiable appetite for runs.

The good work was continued by "Prince Brendon" McCullum, who finally found the right circumstances - old ball, big score on the board, worn out bowlers - to score a test century against quality opposition. The debate rages as to whether he would be better of batting one slot higher, but for the moment he looks happier in the number 7 position. The second day didn't end too well for India, who lost Sehwag (whose captaincy and field placings left a lot to be desired) and Gambhir to injudicious strokes of the spinners. On day three, NZ achieved the impossible by pulling off a 300-plus run lead against the might of the Indian batting order, which could be put down in equal measure to uncommitted batting and intense, accurate bowling on a lifeless pitch. Most of the top five got a start, only to throw it away. Chris Martin showed just why Daniel Vettori wanted him back in the side, regularly hitting good speeds and claiming important wickets, though he was less effective in the second innings. Following on, India entered the fourth day with a mountain to climb, having lost Sehwag once again in disappointing fashion to spin.

What followed was quite incredible. India, whose hopes of winning had completely gone by now, were faced with no choice but to defend. And defend positively they did - losing only four wickets over the course of the next two days. The kiwis threw whatever they could muster at the Indian lineup, and would be upset at not having been able to even come close to bowling the Indians out int hat time frame. But the truth of the matter is, if there was ever a wicket on which you could back yourself to bat out a draw, McLean Park would be it. Additionally, India were too good a batting side to miss out. Only last December, West Indies were able to bat themselves to a position of safety here through an uncharacteristically restrained 197 from Chris Gayle. If that innings was considered a bit of a defensive classic then, it was well outdone by Gautam Gambhir, whose hitherto impulsive nature made us all blink in disbelief when we him apply himself during his marathon 137. Gambhir's innings brings to mind Mike Atherton's 11-hour vigil at Port Elizabeth back in 1995, but unlike Atherton the man had showed us a side of his batting we never thought had existed, which made the innings that much more astonishing. VVS Laxman also played a little gem of a knock to seal the draw.

India perhaps regretted not going into the test with a second spinner in Amit Misra, understandable given their reluctance to tinker with a winning combination. It will be interesting to see if they persist with the same lineup for Wellington. For NZ, Jeetan Patel once again came in as a horses-for-course selection, and not for the first time outbowled Vettori without quite having the wickets to show for it. Will he figure in the third test? Jamie How was a last-minute replacement for Daniel Flynn, but didn't last long as his disappointing test run continued.

There's a hell of a lot to play for at the Basin, so it will be a keenly anticipated contest for the players and viewers alike. While the pitch is expected to be flat, the cold and windy conditions may finally make the NZ seamers more of a factor. However, I stick with my initial prediction that India will probably take the series 2-0. In the meantime, let's savour the memories from the Napier test which have set things up so beautifully.