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Wellington: New Zealand are counting on their stunning turnaround from Hamilton to Napier to pull them through in the last and final Test here at the Basin Reserve. With the series ahead of them at 0-1, they need to win this one to ensure that their amazing home record against India's crumble.
"We were below par in the first Test; but in the second one we were exceptional by comparison over the last five days," NZ's coach Andy Moles said. "We are taking a lot of confidence from that. We honestly believe that if we play with the same consistency here, on a wicket that has a little bit more, we have every chance to with the game," he added.
The Napier Test, for all practical purposes, should go down as one of those bizarre games: both teams would be feeling a little cheated even though the other had an equally good, if not better, chance of winning game.
India sliced straight into New Zealand's middle order on the first day, just like hey had done in the Hamilton Test; they would have, quite rightly, expected them to fold up again by the end of evening. However, Ross Taylor invoked his luck, flashed his bat and watched gleefully as catches evaded fielders.
India lost three quick wickets with Sehwag and Gambhir falling to an old malaise; natural game. The next morning, Rahul Dravid (83) pulled out is classiest bat and frustrated the bowlers with his defiance; Sachin Tendulkar (49) and VVS Laxman (76) game him ideal support to spawn yawns.
But his unexpected dismissal to NZ's talisman, Ryder, triggered a collapse: India lost five wickets for the additions of only 6 runs. Chris martin and Iain O'Brien bursts and a commanding 314 runs lead, deluded Vettori and Moles.
Match facts
Friday April 03 - Tuesday March 07
Start time 11.00 am local (22.00 GMT previous day)
| India | New Zealand | |
| Coach | Gary Kirsten | Andy Moles |
| ICC Ranking | 3 | 8 |
| Key Players | Sehwag, Ishant, Dravid, Zaheer | Ryder, Vettori, Martin, McCullum |
| Trivia & Stats | The Indian batting machine is functioning well, but will it click on seaming track? Much would depend on the kind of start Gambhir and Sehwag provide, Dravid and Sachin can build from there. | The kiwis have a last, but reasonable chance to square the series here. The only problem could be that their seamers may be tired after having bowled for so long in Napier. |
| Weather | This should be one big concern for the Indians, it is expected to be freezing cold, with unrelenting winds making it worse. If it rains, expect it to be even colder. For New Zealand, though, this chill is more than welcome. | |
| Pitch | Traditionally, this venue has always favoured seamers. India have not won here in 41 years. Expect the ball to seam around ths time too. Coming off a flat track, the batsmen hae their task cut out in these conditions. | |
| Current Form | WWDWD | LDDLD (Recent last) |
| Head to head | Total 46, India Won 15, New Zealnad won 9, Drawn 22 | |
