New Zealand batsmen were able to add only 28 runs in 23 balls to their overnight score, as Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah ended on a strong note on the reserve day, in the World Cup semifinal at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Resuming play from 211/5 in 46.1 overs on the reserve day after rain halted play yesterday, overnight batsmen Taylor and Latham were unable to get the big shots away. Taylor fell on 74 to a brilliant direct-hit by Ravindra Jadeja, while going for a second run in the 48th over.
Latham (10) fell in the next over to Kumar, with Jadeja judging an overhead catch to perfection near the midwicket boundary. The Kiwi batsmen managed to hit only one four in the 23 balls they faced today.
Yesterday, rain once again played spoilsport at the ICC World Cup 2019, suspending play during the semifinal. Ross Taylor was batting on 67* and Tom Latham on 3*, when rain halted the match after 46.1 overs of play.
By the time when the covers were off at 10pm IST, the outfield had too much water and there was no way match could have started.
More rain is predicted today.
A fresh day is advantageous for India as it will be a continuation and not a restart. Super over will determine the winner, if it's a tied match.
If the semifinal is washed out on the reserve day too, the team ranked higher in the league stage—India, in this case—will go through.
Earlier, after the initial wobble, captain Kane Williamson steadied the ship first with a 68-run partnership with opener Henry Nicholls, and then with a 65-run stand with Taylor.
After a brilliant start by Jasprit Bumrah (1/25 in 8 overs) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/30 in 8.1 overs), Ravindra Jadeja (1/38 off 10 overs) and Hardik Pandya (1/55 in 10 overs) did well in the middle overs to keep the opposition under check.
Ravindra Jadeja was economical as usual in the middle overs on a slow and turning pitch, giving away just 34 runs in his 10 overs, dismissing opener Henry Nicholls (28). He had 38 dots to his credit by the time he ended the spell.
Martin Guptill (1) looked like a 'walking wicket' and Bumrah relieved him off his misery with a delivery that kicked up from three quarter length, forcing him to push at it. Kohli at second slip made no mistake with a sharp chance.
Williamson looked compact in his defence along with the edgy Nicholls during their 68-run second wicket stand.
(With PTI inputs)