ICC WTC Final 2021: Twitter Reacts As New Zealand Assume Pole Position Against India At Stumps On Day 05
Updated - 23 Jun 2021, 01:52 AM
The wicket of Rohit Sharma in the closing stages of play has put New Zealand in the driving seat on what was yet another day of enthralling Test match cricket with India finishing the day with an overall lead of 32 and eight wickets in the bank.
With just two days remaining in the WTC final, India desperately needed early wickets to give themselves the best possible chance to win. The Indian pacers were disciplined in the first hour but Jasprit Bumrah was a bit guilty of bowling it a touch short.
Ishant Sharma, on the other hand, rightly targeted Ross Taylor’s pads but he too was guilty of bowling it on the leg stump.
Once again Mohammed Shami proved to be the pick of India’s bowlers as he regularly beat the batters past the outside edge.
However, unlike day 03, Shami altered his length and bowled it a bit fuller and the rewards came swiftly.
Mohammed Shami Average Length
Day 3 – 7.48m
Day 5 – 6.94mStill a good length – but slightly fuller. #WTCFinal
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) June 22, 2021
It all happened during the 68th over of the innings as he once again bowled it on a fullish length to lull Ross Taylor into a drive.
And, Shubman Gill did the rest by taking a superb diving catch at the short-cover region.
The Indian bowlers kept the pressure on the New Zealand batters by giving nothing away and they were eventually rewarded as Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami knocked over Henry Nicholls and BJ Watling within a space of 2 overs to bring India back into the ascendancy.
Ishant induced an ill-fated drive from Nicholls and Rohit Sharma did the rest by claiming a brilliant catch in the slip cordon.
Shami then backed it up with an absolute peach to dislodge BJ Watling’s stumps with a delivery that straightened off the seam, leaving New Zealand reeling at 5/135 at Lunch.
New Zealand managed just 34 runs and lost 3 crucial wickets in 23 overs.
Mohammed Shami once again proved to be the go-to guy for Team India as he knocked over the dangerous-looking Colin de Grandhomme with another unplayable inswinger.
India immediately took the new ball when it was available and Shami struck gold in just his 2nd over with the new cherry. The right-hander went wide of the crease and angled it into De Grandhomme.
The New Zealand all-rounder got caught stuck on the crease and pinned plumb in front after the ball hit his back leg.
But once again the lower order proved to be India’s nemesis. Kyle Jamieson scored a 21-ball 16 which also included the first six of the WTC final.
He eventually holed out against Shami at deep backward Square leg but the damage had been done.
Kane Williamson, along with Tim Southee, took New Zealand past India’s first innings but he failed to get his half-century (49 off 177 balls) as he dabbed at a wide delivery from Ishant Sharma straight to Virat Kohli in the slip cordon.
Ashwin got rid of Neil Wagner soon thanks to Rahane, who claimed a brilliant catch at 1st slip but Tim Southee (30 off 46 balls) stroked some lusty blows to ensure that New Zealand claimed a 32-run lead.
India needed a solid start from its openers but unlike the first innings, the duo of Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma couldn’t stitch the 50-run-stand thanks to Tim Southee, who trapped the former plumb in front at the score of 24.
Rohit Sharma once again impressed with his manner in which he left the ball outside the off-stump and his patience against the seam and swing generated by the New Zealand seamers.
Rohit followed the good old strategy to counter the moving ball in English conditions: watch the ball early and play it late.
Sharma and Pujara wiped out the 32-run trail but just as it looked that the former was warming up for a big score, Tim Southee plotted his downfall at the fag end of the day.
In what a brain fade moment, Rohit proceeded to shoulder arms and the ball thudded into his pads.
Sharma departed for an 81-ball 30. Virat Kohli survived a few nervy moments against Tim Southee but he ensured that he stayed unbeaten as India went to stumps at 2/64 in 30 overs.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
STUMPS on Day 5. India 64/2 at the close of play and 32 runs ahead. Tim Southee with the two wickets to fall. Back tomorrow for the SIXTH and final day of the Test. Follow play LIVE in NZ with @skysportnz with highlights on @sparknzsport. Card | https://t.co/9M1mvODiZ3 #WTC21 pic.twitter.com/1pgicmemTM
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) June 22, 2021
Though he hasn't made a big score opening in away Tests, Rohit Sharma has quietly seen off the new ball often. He has survived 50+ balls in five of the six innings and was dismissed inside the first 15 overs only once.
26(77)
52(98)
44(74)
7(21)
34(68)
22(53)*#WTCFinal— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) June 22, 2021
Don't wanna jinx the man but #RohitSharma's improvement as a batter in overseas conditions has been sublime.
The way he's watching the ball, leaving the ball, playing it late is so heartening to see.
Props to him for working hard and making it work at the Test level.#WTC21
— Farzan Patel (@TheTipsyParsi) June 22, 2021
India's best chance of winning is being bowled out for about 220, and setting NZ 190 in 60ish overs – the sort of chase they wouldn't set after a declaration.
— Tim Wigmore (@timwig) June 22, 2021
Shubman Gill becomes Tim Southee's 600th international wicket ☝️
The second @BLACKCAPS bowler to reach the mark!#WTC21 Final | #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/HPJFpGNezj
— ICC (@ICC) June 22, 2021
Shubman Gill will have a lot to work on his footwork, especially the back foot. The tendency to play across the line is always fraught with risk in seaming conditions. #IndvNZ #WTCFinal
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) June 22, 2021
Crying shame if India lose and two years of hard work and demonstrated all conditions ability goes down to nada in the public eye.
— Dweplea (@dweplea) June 22, 2021
Runs contributed from No.9-11 in this Test:
India – 8
New Zealand – 37#WTCFinal— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) June 22, 2021
Good bowling by @MdShami11 & @ImIshant backed by some terrific fielding by ??.
Crucial runs were scored by Jamieson & Southee along with Williamson.
With around 130+ overs left in the game ?? will have to bat well if they want to put ?? under pressure.#WTC21 | #INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/zpWGdziODL
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) June 22, 2021
NZ after the fall of 6th wicket vs IND – last three Tests
Wellington: 132/4 (216/6- 348)
Christchurch: 82/4 (153/6 – 235)
Southampton: 87/4 (162/6 – 249)India, meanwhile, added 33, 43, 45, 27 and 35 runs since the fall of the sixth wicket in these three Tests.#WTC2021
— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) June 22, 2021
So, no 5 fer for Shami and this wont count as one of his greatest spells because it doesn't have a round number. ?
— BALAJI (@deep_extracover) June 22, 2021
27 runs for 6th wkt
30 runs for 7th
29 runs for 8th
The nemesis, as always.— The Friendly Neighborhood Expert (@madaddie24) June 22, 2021
Kane Williamson's slowest ever half-century in Test cricket was 166 balls. He falls one short of the landmark, but this was historic levels of caution for the Kiwi skipper. #WTCFinal
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) June 22, 2021
For the first time in their history New Zealand have scored more runs than their opponent in an ICC final…
— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) June 22, 2021
Best figures by Indians in ICC finals:
4/65* – Shami, 2021 WTC
3/12 – Amarnath, 1983 WC
3/16 – I Pathan, 2007 WT20
3/26 – RP Singh, 2007 WT20
3/27 – V Prasad, 2000 CT
3/27 – Harbhajan, 2002 CT
3/31 – Madan Lal, 1983 WC
3/44 – Zaheer, 2011 WC#INDvsNZ #WTCFinal2021— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) June 22, 2021
What would India have given to have had Hardik Pandya fit and bowling in this game?
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 22, 2021
The ultimate showman… @MdShami11
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) June 22, 2021
I’ve been fascinated by some of bowling in this games. #Quality
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) June 22, 2021
Jamieson:
First 5 wicket haul in this match
First 6 in this matchBut Shami has the last laugh. Bounces Jamieson out. How well Shami has bowled. Used the second bouncer of the over effectively #WTC21final
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) June 22, 2021
I'm usually a not-outer on LBW decisions but that looked pretty plumb live.
— Adam Sutherland (@ADSutherland_) June 22, 2021
HOLY JOCKSTRAPS. Kyle Jamieson hit five twos in an over – the first time a batsman has hit five twos in an over in a Test, at least since @espncricinfo ball-by-ball data began (2001). #INDvNZ #WhatATimeToBeAlive #WorkItIntoTheGaps
— Andy Zaltzman (@ZaltzCricket) June 22, 2021
Shami bowls a tad fuller & has batsmen in trouble. Too good for Colin de Grandhomme. The match is nicely hanging in the balance. Jamieson comes in. Got a match-changing 49 in Christchurch in 2020 #WTC21final
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) June 22, 2021
Shami beauty ?
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) June 22, 2021
Would retire Williamson here. Others have come a long way and also want to bat. He can come back in at the end
— Barney Ronay (@barneyronay) June 22, 2021
Williamson and Pujara went on a date.
Outcome: this innings.
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) June 22, 2021
Colin de Grandhomme the legend. Bowled an incredibly economical spell in a 50-over World Cup final against the most aggressive batting line-up in the world. And here he is at the #WTCFinal looking to play a cameo in conditions where runs are incredibly hard to come by
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) June 22, 2021
Colin de Grandhomme scores his Test match runs at a strike rate of 81.5. Of the 558 players to score 1000+ Test match runs, only Shahid Afridi, Tim Southee, Virender Sehwag and Adam Gilchrist have scored their runs at a higher strike rate. #WTCFinal
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) June 22, 2021
Ravindra Jadeja has dismissed Colin de Grandhomme four times in19 balls in all cricket.
This could be a make or break spell for India.#WTC21final— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) June 22, 2021
‘New Zealand can pile on 400 and force a result….Only NZ can win….India are being saved by the rain, they’re getting battered here…’
Pretty much all I’ve been seeing & hearing on Twitter for 48 hours. Thoughts now? #WTCFinal #INDvNZ ?????
— Nikesh Rughani (@NikeshRughani) June 22, 2021
Last year when India lost to New Zealand 0-2 in Tests in New Zealand, the problem started exactly from here on because all the lower-order batsmen starting from Colin de Grandhomme can bat, India need to get all the 10 wickets and not wait in hope #WTC21final #WTC21 #IndvNZ
— Chandresh Narayanan (@chand2579) June 22, 2021
Best pace attacks in Tests since the start of 2018:
(Min.10 matches)Avg
22.82 – Ind (351* wkts)
24.02 – SA (362)
24.99 – NZ (359)
25.66 – Aus (334)
26.01 – Eng (480)
26.23 – WI (286)
28.70 – Pak (236)
33.68 – SL (199)
49.34 – Ban (67)#WTCFinal #INDvsNZ— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) June 22, 2021
Game on.. well done @MdShami11 @ImIshant keep going ? @BCCI #WorldTestChampionship #ICCWorldTestChampionship
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) June 22, 2021
Excitement is back in this Test match! What a contest between two top teams. #WTCFinal
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) June 22, 2021
Ishant Sharma is the first Test seamer to dismiss Henry Nicholls with a good length ball since Mohammed Shami in the 2020 series. #WTCFinal
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) June 22, 2021
Nicholls ko kardiya shant.. wah Ishant. Well bowled! ? #WTCFinal #IndiaVsNewZealand
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R) June 22, 2021
Be great if BJ Watling came out and just charged down the wicket, dilscooped and switch-hit every thing. Just to announce his T20 franchise ambitions.
— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) June 22, 2021
https://twitter.com/amolmuzumdar11/status/1407312084254085120?s=19
Williamson on the pitch today.#WTC21final pic.twitter.com/TBGLHSb0E4
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 22, 2021
Just 15 runs from the 100 balls Kane Williamson has faced. Williamson has never scored fewer runs from the first 100 balls of a Test innings. #WTCFinal
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) June 22, 2021
This Test is in a tense stalemate not because the batting teams are being passive but because the bowling is brilliant and unrelenting. It's hard to score quicker than 2 RPO when the bowlers are hammering a good length so consistently. #INDvNZ #WTC21
— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) June 22, 2021
https://twitter.com/im_yash2307/status/1407309121641062401?s=19
R Ashwin right now: pic.twitter.com/8m1asKQRvn
— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) June 22, 2021
Someone in the crowd just shouted ‘Boring Kane Williamson’ and next ball he chases a wide delivery, gets beaten outside the off stump in the next one too. Virat is now getting the crowd to be more vocal! The psychology of sport is always underestimated! ?#IndvNZ
— Ajith Ramamurthy (@Ajith_tweets) June 22, 2021
Shami deserves this wicket. This is the result of relentless pressure applied by Indian bowlers. Taylor is dismissed. Big wicket #WTC21final
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) June 22, 2021
There's a decent argument that winning this game is now beyond India. As such, their quicks digging a trench on a good length arguably makes more sense than pushing it fuller & risking losing control in search of wickets. #INDvNZ #WTC21
— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) June 22, 2021
Here's a pitchmap of every false shot drawn by Mohammed Shami in Tests in England. #WTCFinal pic.twitter.com/gx4oWTLGMb
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) June 22, 2021
World Test Championship Final but it’s two 3rd grade teams competing in a boat race, anchored by recent divorcées. Loser has to do the covers.
— The Grade Cricketer (@gradecricketer) June 22, 2021
Shami in England is the best worst bowler ever
— Dweplea (@dweplea) June 22, 2021
Going by the bowling, India looking to keep runs down, not take wickets. Will bite them hard.
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) June 22, 2021
Average Swing for India in this Test:
Day 3 – 0.97 degrees
Day 5 – 0.86 degrees#WTCFinal— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) June 22, 2021
No run off the bat for 43 hours in the WTC final
— John Etheridge (@JohnSunCricket) June 22, 2021
Dear weather at Southampton. If you don’t mind, we’d all rather you stop effing up the #WTCFinal from now on. Thanks in advance, ever cricket fan. #INDvNZ
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) June 22, 2021
Tagged:
ICC World Test Championship Final India vs New Zealand Final
