Black Caps on brink of creating history in India

NAGPUR - New Zealand cricket team, which has been riddled with self doubt and inconsistencies in recent years, is on the brink of creating history if they beat India in the third Test starting on November 20.

They could become the first New Zealand team to win a test series in India in eight attempts stretching back over more than half a century.

Few would have considered that possible as little as three weeks ago.

Even Black Caps coach Mark Greatbatch, in a pre-tour interview, said he would be satisfied with two draws, leaving the result of the third match up to your imagination.

“Through two tests we’ve had some dominant moments but in the last one I think we showed some other character from behind,” Greatbatch said ahead of the decider.

“We were behind the 8-ball after not getting enough runs in the first innings. We fought back with the ball then fronted with the bat for the last day and a half,” NZ Herald quoted him, as syaing.

“They are good wickets (over here) but you still have to do it. I think mentally we have been pretty tough. We’ve gone 10 days into a 15-day series and we’re still fighting with them,” Greatbatch said.

Captain Daniel Vettori has given nothing away regarding selections, but he appreciates what is at stake.

“I know there is an expectation for India to win because they are ranked number one in the world. To go into the last test match with the result of the series to be decided is a good achievement for us,” he said.

“We are happy with our performances but we are not satisfied. We still want to put ourselves in winning situations because not many New Zealand teams have come over here and won. It would be such an amazing achievement for us,” Vettori added. (ANI)