Shami brings India back in fight but NZ edge ahead by removing openers

SOUTHAMPTON, June 22: Mohammed Shami’s incisive swing bowling brought India back in the contest but New Zealand nosed ahead by removing both the openers as World Test Championship final headed towards an engrossing ‘sixth’ and final day.
If Shami brought India back with four-wicket haul that helped the side dismiss New Zealand for 249, Rohit Sharma (30) after all the hardwork, made an error in judgement trying to leave a Tim Southee (2/17) in-dipper which trapped him plumb in-front.
With Shubman Gill (8) also back in the hut, India finished the fifth day at 64 for 2 with a lead of 32 runs, having erased a 32-run deficit.
With a full day’s play expected, India would like to bat at least a session and half to put themselves in safe position before giving New Zealand 50 odd overs and 200 plus target if they want to enforce a result.
New Zealand certainly go into the final day as favourites to lift the WTC mace, courtesy Southee’s late evening spell.
A draw looks more of a practical possibility due to all the time that has been lost due to inclement weather but a superb batting effort from skipper Virat Kohli (8 batting) and Cheteshwar Pujara (12 batting) or an inexplicable batting collapse like Adelaide could certainly make things interesting during the business end of the marquee clash. (PTI)