The hosts scrambled to a target of 285 with two wickets to spare, but their captain Tim Southee squad managed to win on the final ball at Hagley Oval.
In the first Test against Sri Lanka, New Zealand‘s lower order hitting in the first innings and their late-day ball resurgence were both key.
Oh, and Daryl Mitchell’s innings, which included his 102 in the first innings, which helped keep New Zealand together, and his 81 in the second, which helped him and Kane Williamson create a 142-run fourth-wicket partnership. As it appeared that New Zealand might face a significant first-innings disadvantage, Southee struck 25, Matt Henry smashed 72, and Neil Wagner made 27.
After the game, Southee remarked, “Daryl’s first innings was a was a major turning moment and it sort of pulled us back in. “And it’s huge whenever the lower order can contribute; in a way, it helped us take the lead.
“There were a couple of moments there that you look back on as probably turning points in the game,” said one player. “We were able to eke out runs there, and then on day four, when we were able to bowl them out quickly and now give them a position where they were able to declare and dictate how many runs they wanted – there’s a couple of moments there.”
Southee had the following to say about Williamson, who led the pursuit, made an incredible final boundary through point, and led New Zealand to their goal: “He is simply a world-class athlete, and athletes of that caliber can excel in a variety of circumstances. He was the one you could depend on, even when he was young.
“Even with that final boundary, when he outran two fielders to the big side of the field, we could see his class. Even his composure in performing it benefits the group. We all remain calm because of how composed he appears to be in the midst.”
Southee thought that New Zealanders took pleasure in their ability to remain calm under pressure.
“Do your best to be calm at all times. It also helps when one of our top players is on the field. That was evident in the previous two Test matches as well as in Pakistan. We’ve had a few difficult days, but being able to bounce back and know that someone would put their hand up is a sign of a good side. It’s a changing group, but the belief in the lads that have come in…”
India
