Southee claims five-for as New Zealand crush India in Test opener
Tim Southee claimed a five-for to lead New Zealand to a 10-wicket humbling of India in the first Test on Monday.
Southee grabbed his 10th five-wicket Test haul – only two men have earned more for the Black Caps – as New Zealand wrapped up the opening Test inside four days against the ICC's top-ranked team.
Led by paceman Southee, New Zealand skittled touring India for just 191 early on day four and Tom Latham (7) and Tom Blundell (2) easily hit the winning nine runs.
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It was a milestone win for New Zealand after the Black Caps registered their 100th Test victory, becoming the seventh nation to reach the century mark in the longest format of the game, while ending a three-match losing run in the unlimited-overs game.
A 10 wicket win at the @BasinReserve to start the series! Tom Blundell hits the winning runs in the team's 100th Test victory. The 20th at the Basin. Scorecard | https://t.co/vWdNIMMIwd #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/yK9285KTFQ — BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 24, 2020
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India, who managed just 165 in the first innings as New Zealand posted 348, returned to the crease at 144-4 – still 39 runs adrift.
In a commanding position, the Black Caps put India to the sword after Virat Kohli's visitors lost 47-6 during the morning session.
New Zealand quick Trent Boult (4-39) set the tone with the dismissal of Ajinkya Rahane for 29, before Southee took centre stage at the Basin Reserve.
10 - Tim Southee snared his 10th five-wicket haul in Test cricket; only two pace bowlers have earned more for New Zealand (Sir Richard Hadlee - 16, Chris Cairns - 13). Sweeper.#NZvIND pic.twitter.com/wbWlML5aVT — OptaJason (@OptaJason) February 24, 2020
India were helpless to stop Southee, who knocked over Hanuma Vihari's stumps for 15 the following over and Ravichandran Ashwin (4) was the next to go after being trapped lbw.
Ishant Sharma (12) was also dismissed lbw by Colin de Grandhomme (1-28) before Southee cleaned up Rishabh Pant (25) and Jasprit Bumrah (0) within four deliveries.
It left New Zealand chasing just nine runs and the home team cruised to a massive victory, snapping India's seven-match winning streak in Tests.