Five-wicket Martin inspires New Zealand

Pacemen rips through Indian top-order on day four of first Test.

AHMEDABAD: Fast-bowler Chris Martin bagged a five-wicket haul as New Zealand staged a dramatic comeback on the fourth day of the first Test against India. Martin polished off India’s top-order in a sensational opening spell of four for 15 off nine overs, before returning to claim his fifth wicket towards the close.

At stumps, India were reeling at 82 for six. The hosts lead by 110 runs after bowling out New Zealand for 459, an innings built around a century from Kane Williamson (131).

Martin triggered a dramatic Indian collapse, getting rid of Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Suresh Raina inside the first 11 overs with just 15 runs on board.

New Zealand were earlier boosted by Williamson who hit 10 fours in his patient 299-ball knock and shared a stand of 86 for the sixth wicket with captain Daniel Vettori (41).

Vettori achieved a personal milestone on 38, when he became the third all-rounder after Ian Botham of England and India’s Kapil Dev to complete the Test double of 4,000 runs and 300 wickets.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 8^th, 2010.