The ICC World Test Championship final seems to be heading for a tight finish after both India and New Zealand battled hard on the fifth day of the rain-hit showpiece match in Southampton on Tuesday. India pacer Mohammed Shami sizzled with a four-wicket haul but could not stop New Zealand from taking a crucial 32-run lead as the Black Caps scored 249 runs after resuming at 101 for two. India, who scored 217 runs in their first innings, then ended the fifth day at 64 for two with a 32-run lead in their pocket. Rohit Sharma (30) was watchful until he misread a straighter one from Tim Southee that caught him in front of the wicket towards the end of the day's play. This was after Southee had already dismissed Shubhman Gill (8). Ever-reliable Cheteshwar Pujara (12) and skipper Virat Kohli (8) were at the crease at stumps. With three full sessions to play and a favourable forecast announced for the reserve day on Wednesday, the sixth day will come with the possibility of a draw as well as a result. India took the upper hand in the morning session by removing three batsmen but Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson (49) and his lower-order colleagues Kyle Jamieson (21) and Tim Southee (30) seized the momentum with their smart batting approach. Shami, who hit the good length consistently, scalped Ross Taylor (11), BJ Watling (1), Colin de Grandhomme (13) and Kyle Jamieson (21). Ishant Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin shared five wickets between them while Ravindra Jadeja took one wicket. New Zealand had ended the third day at 101 for two. Not a single ball was bowled on the fourth day due to inclement weather. Catch highlights and cricket scores of NZ vs IND, Day 5 here.
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11:34 PM IST: Stumps! India lost both the openers, but took a lead of 32 runs with Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli unbeaten on 12 and 8 runs respectively. Both the wickets were taken by Tim Southee, both LBWs.
Brief Scores:
India: 217 & 64/2 in 30 overs (R Sharma 30; T Southee 2/17)
New Zealand 1st innings: 249 all out in 99.2 overs. (Devon Conway 54, Kane Williamson 49, Tom Latham 30; Mohammed Shami 4/76, Ishant Sharma 3/48).
8:55 PM IST: Innings break! India dismissed New Zealand for 249, but conceded crucial 32 runs.
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Brief Scores
India 1st innings: 217 all out
New Zealand 1st innings: 249 all out in 99.2 overs. (Devon Conway 54, Kane Williamson 49, Tom Latham 30; Mohammed Shami 4/76, Ishant Sharma 3/48).
6:40 PM IST: Players back for post-lunch session.
6:03 PM IST: Lunch! India will be happy. Mohammed Shami removed Ross Taylor and BJ Watling, while Ishant Sharma got Henry Nicholls as India claimed three wickets. New Zealand are still 82 runs behind.
Brief Scores:
India 1st innings: 217 all out
New Zealand 1st innings: 135 for 5 in 72 overs. (Devon Conway 54, Tom Latham 30, Kane Williamson 19 batting; Ishant Sharma 2/27, Mohammed Shami 2/31).
4:00 PM IST: Players are out. As things stand, New Zealand are still 116 runs behind India.
3:45 PM IST: It's 4:00 PM IST start.
3:27 PM IST: Rain has stopped.
2:59 PM IST: Then, the start is delayed.
2:37 PM IST: Rumour is, play will start on time. Then, some droplets...
