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New Zealand put up a tremendous batting show on the crucial third day’s play to hold India back in the first Test at Ahmedabad. The visitors courtesy of a 3rd Test hundred from the talented Jesse Ryder and his 194-run partnership for the 5th wicket with debutant Kane Williamson has helped the Kiwis comfortably save the follow on and has raised hopes for drawing this match. New Zealand at Stumps on Day 3 are 331 for 5 in 117.3 overs with the deficit coming down to 156 runs.
The visitors were on a shaky 69 for 2 at the start of play but the Indian pacers couldn’t get any of the reverse swing with the pitch not abrasive enough to roughen up the ball. A few deliveries did turn for Pragyan Ojha but the overnight pair of Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor were experienced enough to handle the situation. However, after doing all the hard work, Ross Taylor committed a blunder when he carelessly flicked a Harbhajan delivery without getting to the pitch of the ball and the result was a simple catch to mid wicket. Taylor scored his 10th Test fifty, 56 from 124 balls with 6 fours while putting up 104 runs for the 3rd wicket.
There was further trouble for the Kiwis when the well set Brendon McCullum got beaten by a magical turner from Pragyan Ojha which pitched on middle and the right hander’s backfoot was stranded on the batting crease which gave enough time for MS Dhoni to effect a stumping. McCullum departed after making 65 from 122 balls with 11 fours. New Zealand went to lunch at 148 for 4 with two new batsmen at the crease.
After lunch, the two new batsmen – Jesse Ryder and Kane Williamson surprised the Indians with their compact defences which left the hosts wicketless for an entire session! New Zealand went to Tea at a much improved 237 for 4 in 82 overs with Ryder on 53 and Williamson on 45. India took the second new ball as and when it was available just before Tea.
The pair of Ryder and Williamson with quite a bit of luck batted almost through the next session as well to take New Zealand to some comfort zone. It was only at the stroke of stumps that India could break this partnership when Sreesanth got one to tail back at an uncertain length to catch Ryder on the crease, plumb in front. Ryder was gone for 103 from 205 balls with 10 fours and a six. His dismissal also marked the end of the third day’s play. Debutant Williamson who was lucky to be still there despite nicking Zaheer Khan to the keeper stayed unbeaten on 87 from 226 balls with 6 fours and is approaching what could be a century on Test Debut!