Wagner bowls Black Caps to narrow victory

New Zealand snare 40-run win over India in first Test.

AUCKLAND: Neil Wagner was the toast of New Zealand as the hosts pulled off a dramatic 40-run win in the first Test against India at Eden Park.

Wagner, New Zealand’s go-to man twice turned the game with quick wickets to wrest control away from India in a match that see-sawed throughout.

Black Caps, with innings of 503 and 105, had set India (first-innings 202) a winning target of 407 and had them all out for 366.

On a riveting fourth day, the outcome was settled when India lost their last five wickets for 98 runs.

Wagner made the crucial breakthroughs, earning high praise from captain Brendon McCullum whose own double-century provided the backbone of New Zealand’s huge first-innings.

“Neil Wagner, in particular, was the standout for me today [Sunday],” said McCullum. “He epitomised everything we want to be known for as a team.

“I can’t talk highly enough of him. Obviously Trent [Boult] and Tim [Southee] are our spearheads but Neil Wagner is such an important piece of the puzzle for us.”

At tea on Sunday, with four sessions remaining, India needed 137 to win while New Zealand needed five wickets.

As the target narrowed and wickets fell, India opted to go on all-out attack.Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja belted 54 in under seven overs in what Dhoni described as deliberate ‘risky cricket’ to put pressure on the hosts. But the gamble did not pay off. Boult ended their slugfest by sending Jadeja packing for a rapid 26 off 21 deliveries.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10^th, 2014.

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