India wicketless in the first session of day five as NZ look to save the Kanpur Test
Lunch New Zealand 296 and 79 for 1 (Somerville 36, Latham 35) need another 205 runs to beat India 345 and 234 for 7 dec
Obdurate batting from Tom Latham and nightwatchman Will Somerville kept India wicketless through the first session of day five to brighten New Zealand’s chances of saving the Kanpur Test. With little significant deterioration apparent, the Green Park pitch continued to behave as it has done through this Test match, its slowness largely negating the threat of its low bounce.
And so, despite India surrounding the bat with catching fielders, they were aware at all times that the ball had barely carried to one all week. After three full innings and 35 overs in the fourth, only one wicket has fallen to a catch in the slips and none to a bat-pad catch.
At lunch, New Zealand were 79 for 1, with both overnight batters into their 30s. With a minimum of 60 overs left to play, New Zealand would need to score at a little less than three-and-a-half an over through the last two sessions to pull off an unlikely heist, but the longer they go without losing wickets, the more risks they can afford to take in the pursuit of quick runs later in the game.