NZ vs IND 1st ODI: In the series opener against India on Friday in Auckland, Tom Latham’s magnificent century and Kane Williamson’s unbeaten 94 helped New Zealand chase down 307. The team won the match by 7 wickets with 17 balls remaining. Their unbeaten 221-run stand gave New Zealand a 1-0 lead in the series.
NZ vs IND 1st ODI: Not The Best Start of New Zealand
It wasn’t the best of starts for New Zealand. Although Arshdeep Singh was challenged by Finn Allen and Devon Conway to score 25 runs off his three overs, the opposite end struggled to score runs. Yuzvendra Chahal gave Allen a reprieve, but Shardul Thakur produced a great opening spell that led to a wicket when he caught Allen two balls later. After that, Umran Malik made an impression on his debut with his pace, and Washington controlled the runs to put pressure on New Zealand.
NZ vs IND 1st ODI: Middle Order Takes Control
Conway eventually gave in as he pursued a full and wide delivery from Umran while lagging behind. Similar to Umran, Daryl Mitchell also misjudged a wide ball from him and tumbled as the fielder at the point boundary made a routine catch to give India the lead by halftime. But things did alter gradually. After a protracted period of sluggishness, Williamson finally became extremely fluent, but Latham shocked the audience. He first took the back seat, rotating the strike to good effect, but as he moved closer to fifty, Latham changed his strategy.
The left-hander took charge as he signalled his intentions by collecting a six and a four off consecutive deliveries against Umran. The left-hander is known for playing spin well in the middle overs. With 11 overs remaining in the chase, the game was still in doubt, but the 40th over dramatically turned the tide in New Zealand’s favour.
NZ vs IND 1st ODI: Tom Latham Player Of The Match
Latham destroyed Shardul Thakur by hitting four fours and a six to bring up a 76-ball century and reduce the equation to 66 from the last 10. The outcome was pretty much predetermined after that.
Latham continued to take advantage of the shorter boundary on the leg side, easily clearing it as he took full advantage of a battered Indian bowling unit to end unbeaten on 145 and assist his team in completing the total chase with 17 balls remaining.
In the morning, half-centuries from the top order and Washington’s final-over cameo propelled India to 306/7. On a surface where hitting improved as the innings went on, particularly because of the narrower boundaries either side, the total did seem to be average.
