Long before Tim Southee delivered the first ball at the Ageas Bowl, it was a given that the outcome of the World Test Championship final would depend on the performance of the bowlers. If the chill and overcast conditions made New Zealand feel at home, India’s decision to include two spinners in their XI remains debatable.
New Zealand’s all-seam attack made up for their lack of discipline on Saturday as India collapsed in treacherous conditions, losing seven wickets for 71 runs. At close on the third day, New Zealand were 101 for two and will now need a determined effort from their batsmen to push ahead.
Rain and bad light continued to wreak havoc, prompting a delayed start and also brought an early end to the proceedings. India forced their way back in the last session with Ishant Sharma sending back Devon Conway (54). Ravichandran Ashwin had dismissed Tom Latham.
Given the conditions, such collapses may not be a rarity in this Test. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor have to show the intent and desire to survive for them to wrest control.
The Indians must have felt the need to have an additional seamer in their ranks. Fifteen of the 49 overs were completed by the spinners with Ravindra Jadeja bowling only three. The presence of a Mohammed Siraj would not only have added variation to the pace attack, it would have eased the pressure on Ishant, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami.
Pace attack is certain to play a key role in this Test and Kyle Jamieson and Trent Boult showed a glimpse of what could be in store.
The 6 feet 8 inches tall Jamieson could be in the great Joel Garner mould because of his ability to push the ball from his sky-scraper of a frame with pin-point accuracy, intent to pick wickets and consistently provide those lethal blows.
He showed why he’s regarded highly, dismissing Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant in quick succession in the morning.
The Indians failed to overcome the twin blows in challenging conditions but Kohli’s men would also have to share the blame for some ordinary batting display.
Jamieson (5/31) started the slide by removing Kohli in his second over of the day. The Indian captain failed to add to his overnight 44.
Pant tried to stay away from his free flowing hit-and-run tactics. Having taken 20 balls to get off the mark with a boundary, he lost patience and control to be dismissed a ball later slashing hard outside off.
Only Rahane showed the temperament and responsibility needed to play out the session.
The vice-captain fell for 49 to an obvious short ball ploy from Williamson.
The crux of the Indian batting had been removed and it was a matter of whether the late-order could hang in there. Ravichandran Ashwin did play a few fluent drives during his 22 but Ravindra Jadeja couldn’t make much of his dropped catch on 11.
