Wellington Test ends in a high-scoring draw

Tags: India tour of New Zealand, 2014, New Zealand Vs India, 2nd Test at Wellington - Feb 14-18, 2014, Virat Kohli, Brendon Barrie McCullum, James Douglas Sheehan Neesham

Published on: Feb 18, 2014

Scorecard | Commentary | Graphs

The Second and Final Test at Wellington ended in a draw as expected. Virat Kohli scored his 6th Test century as a consolation for India in an otherwise disappointing tour of New Zealand. In 5 ODIs and 2 Tests, India could not post a single win.

By BV Swagath

The Second and Final Test at Wellington ended in a draw as expected. Virat Kohli scored his 6th Test century as a consolation for India in an otherwise disappointing tour of New Zealand. In 5 ODIs and 2 Tests, India could not post a single win.

Left to negotiate a little over two sessions, India saw through 52 overs losing three wickets to hold onto a draw. Shikhar Dhawan was given out lbw for 2, offering no shot to Trent Boult which was a bad decision from the Umpire with the ball sailing over the stumps. Murali Vijay failed yet again in the series, and this time was edged out to slips off Tim Southee for 7.

India’s third wicket to go down was with Cheteshwar Pujara caught down the legside off a short ball for 17 from Southee.

A strong unbeaten stand of 112 between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma (31* from 97 balls) secured the match for the visitors. Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on 105 from 135 balls with 15 fours and a six. Brendon McCullum was adjudged as the Man of the Match.

Update of NZ 2nd inngs: Brendon McCullum became the first Kiwi batsman to score a Triple Century in Test Cricket. Today at the Basin Reserve, New Zealand finally declared its 2nd innings at 680 for 8 declared just few minutes to go for lunch. The Test match is heading for a draw with India having to bat a little over two sessions. India’s target is 435 in 67 overs. The 2-match Series though is already in the pockets of New Zealand following their victory at Hamilton.

McCullum was eventually dismissed for 302 having tired out himself and the Indian bowlers for 559 balls while hitting 32 fours and 4 sixes. He was caught behind poking a Zaheer Khan delivery to end a 179-run stand for the 7th wicket with Jimmy Neesham.

Playing in only his 1st Test, Jimmy Neesham went onto score a century on Test Debut. India were more than happy to allow him the time to reach the landmark which gave them lesser time to bat. Interestingly, McCullum didn’t declare the innings straight after Neesham’s century much to the benefit of the Indians.

Neesham remained unbeaten on 137 from 154 balls with 20 fours. Zaheer Khan with the scalp of Tim Southee completed a 5-wicket haul.

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