New Zealand have reached 2-101 at stumps to trail India by 116 runs in the World Test Championship final after Kyle Jamieson had put the Black Caps in command, grabbing a five-wicket haul in an exceptional display of swing bowling.
Tom Latham and Devon Conway had guided New Zealand to 0-70 on the third day at the Rose Bowl but were both dismissed before bad light ended the evening session early on Sunday.
Latham (30) was the first man out, caught by Virat Kohli off Ravichandran Ashwin (1-20).
Conway, who scored 200 on debut against England earlier this month at Lord’s, had scored 54 before falling to Mohammed Shami’s catch off Ishant Sharma (1-19).
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson (12 not out) and Ross Taylor (0 not out) are at the crease.
“When the play restarts we’ll have a slight edge on them because both of the batsmen are relatively new at the crease,” said India batter Shubman Gill.
That seems optimistic, especially after India earlier succumbed to an all-out pace attack for 217 after resuming the day on 3-146.
Jamieson (5-31) struck at the start of each of the first two sessions as India lost their last seven wickets for 68 runs before getting bowled out 30 minutes after lunch.
The 6ft 8in fast bowler landed the key wickets of Kohli (44) and Rishabh Pant (4) during a six-over opening spell with the old ball.
He returned after lunch and with the second new ball removed both Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah off successive deliveries to cap a brilliant 22 overs of swing bowling.
Jamieson paid tribute to his teammates, starting with Williamson and including fellow seamers Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Neil Wagner, who boast a combined 206 appearances.
“It’s just been nice to contribute. For me it’s been an absolute pleasure coming to this group,” he said.
“I’ve just been able to go about my business, learn off these guys and I guess just ride their coattails a little bit.”
Boult (2-47) wrapped up the innings when Ravindra Jadeja (15) gloved a leg-side catch to diving wicketkeeper BJ Watling as the sun briefly came out after inclement weather had disrupted the inaugural final.
After the first day’s play was washed out due to rain and only 64.4 overs were possible on the second day, there was also a delay of 30 minutes on the third morning due to a wet outfield.
Kohli couldn’t add to his overnight score as Jamieson consistently challenged the India skipper with full-pitched deliveries before trapping him leg before wicket with late seam movement.
Kohli went for a television referral, but the replays clearly suggested the ball would have gone on to hit the leg stump.
Pant, known for his aggressive batting, struggled to negotiate the seam and swing before playing a reckless drive off Jamieson, offering a straightforward catch in the slips.
Wagner (2-40) brilliantly set up Ajinkya Rahane (49) when the India vice-captain half-heartedly pulled a short-pitched ball straight into the hands of Tom Latham at square leg.
New Zealand’s decision to take the second new ball half an hour before lunch paid off when Southee had Ashwin (22) caught by Latham in the slips.
Heavy rain is forecast on Monday in a game that has already lost huge swathes of time to the weather, and even a reserve day may not be enough to produce a win.
If the outcome is a draw, the trophy will be shared.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
He now has 46 wickets in 8 tests at 14 runs per wicket and a wicket every 37 balls.
Tigerbill44
Roar Guru
England's soccer captain.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Who's the other Kane?
Tigerbill44
Roar Guru
sorry I didn't notice that Williamson is still at the crease. so both the Kanes can find their form today.
Tigerbill44
Roar Guru
Conway 3rd evening was big big wicket. Both the Kanes' are having a difficult time of late. Hopefully for England the footballing Kane would soon fine his scoring boot. England are already through to last 16 after yesterdays results.
Targa
Roar Rookie
Amazing start to his career. He'd be one of the 1st names in a World XI at the moment.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
So possibility of rain and you want a whole 200 run lead on the first innings and thats an attacking move. NZ need to up their run rate and once they get a lead then go hell for leather t20 mode and get whatever they can in quick time after that.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Kiwis are scoring at 2 runs an over. Thats playing for a draw. If it was Steve Waugh he would have his team going at 4 an over.
mkr
Guest
such pathetic conditions for cricket ..record swing noticed ..could have simply created another dust bowl and buried the kiwis there where their 5 pronged Pacers would be as useless as this schedule of final test ..
Koli
Guest
We are grateful for the rain. There is a good chance that we will finish with a draw so we are able to finish as joint winners than a loser.
Brian
Guest
Geez its evenly posied and even if today is lost 196 overs in 2 days could still get a result. If there is some play today then 200+ overs left looks enough time given the 217 first innings score. So much rests on Williamson, not only when play resumes but with whatever target they will need to chase.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Hi Kiwihaydn. I feel India are a team more likely to go for a draw then NZ. I hope also it not a draw.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
It's taking on a now increasingly familiar pattern.. The opposition trying not to lose.. NZ trying to win.
The Bush
Roar Guru
In a perfect world you'd have both sides doing warm up games against Counties and then playing a three match series, but there just isn't the time. I'd have actually liked this to be a timeless test, rather than just the extra day - though at least there's that after they lost the first day and big sections of time since then.
Paul
Roar Guru
“When the play restarts we’ll have a slight edge on them because both of the batsmen are relatively new at the crease,” said India batter Shubman Gill. Why do reporters go to a bloke who's played exactly 7 Tests for his opinion about the state of the game? Here's a comment from a bloke who has played 7 less Tests than Gill - "I'd rather be in Kane Williamson's position than Virat Kohli's".
Micko
Roar Rookie
Should've played in that Sydney test too!
Lara
Guest
Jamieson was the second nugget that NZ cricket found after the Oz series , although he was in the squad….to raw n inexperienced to play. He seems to be the missing piece in the Black Caps pace attack….he variation to the others, just balances it. His batting is also impressive n could develop into a genuine all rounder. He is definitely a “gold” nugget.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Well there is a point actually! You get to share the title as champions…something you were denied two years ago in farcical circumstances.
KiwiHaydn
Roar Rookie
Personally, I think this final should’ve been a three-test series. As it is, if we can go hard tonight and get 400-odd and declare, we’d be in a great position on days 5 and 6.
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Despite his calm demeanour Kane is no slouch when it comes to attacking declarations Haydn. Hope the opportunity arises he can do just that mate...