New Zealand were whitewashed in the Tests and recorded their first win of the tour to make five-match series 1-1. PHOTO: AFP
Boult was the star of the show with the ball as the Black Caps defended a small 243-run target, giving away just 25 runs in his 10 overs while also claiming two wickets.
The Indian batsmen shared the runs among them, with Kedar Jadhav being the only other batsman to score more than 40 with his 41 off 37 balls. However, Virat Kohli (nine) and Amit Mishra (one) were the only two Indian batsmen to be dismissed for single figure scores.
Hardik Pandya threatened to make it two match-winning contributions in two ODI matches with a 32-ball 36 that brought India close but Boult dismissed him to hand the visitors the game.
New Zealand struggle for answers against Indian bowlers, says Boult
Earlier in the day, India’s bowlers restricted New Zealand to 242-9 despite Williamson striking a delightful century.
Boult had said before the game that their batsmen were struggling to cope with Indian bowlers and the skipper responded with one of his finest knocks.
Williamson gave New Zealand a solid platform to eye a big score with his 118 but Indian bowlers Amit Mishra and Jasprit Bumrah claimed three wickets each to stem the total.
India’s pace spearhead Umesh Yadav struck on the second delivery of the innings to send New Zealand opener Martin Guptill trudging back to the pavilion for nought.
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Guptill, who is in the middle of a woeful run of form, was bowled on a beautiful delivery that pitched and swung away from the right-handed batsman to take the off stump.
But Williamson and Latham then rallied to put on 120 for the second wicket as the batting duo tackled the Indian bowlers with aplomb.
Williamson led from the front with some assured stroke-making during his 128-ball knock, which was laced with 14 fours and a six.
He made the most of a major let-off when Indian skipper and wicketkeeper MS Dhoni failed to glove a deflection off Axar Patel’s bowling. Williamson was on 59.
Latham, who hit 6 fours and a six, played aggressive cricket to thwart the Indian spin and pace attack during his run-a-ball 46.
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Off-spinner Kedar Jadhav broke the big stand after being brought into the attack in the 21st over as he got the left-handed Latham trapped lbw.
Williamson carried on the good work to record his eighth ODI ton as the crowd at Delhi’s Feroz Shah Kotla stood up to applaud the efforts of the opposition captain.
Leg-spinner Mishra struck three times at crucial junctures to check New Zealand’s surge, including the all-important wicket of Williamson.
Medium-pacer Bumrah’s triple strike in the final five overs of the innings also hurt the visitors’ chances of putting up a challenging total, which had looked possible during Williamson’s stay.
The Back Caps, who trail the five-match series 1-0, could only manage 18 runs in the final five overs as they lost three wickets, and would be incredibly disappointed with their final total as they had once looked primed to score nearer to 300 after being 202-3 in the 40th over.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 21st, 2016.
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