Daily Times

SOUTHAMPTON: New Zealand’s Kyle Jamieson completed an impressive five-wicket haul before India’s bowlers starred on the third day of the inaugural World Test Championship final at Southampton on Sunday. An absorbing day of high-quality cricket, cut short by bad light despite the floodlights being on full beam, ended with New Zealand 101-2 in reply to India’s first innings 217, a deficit of 116 runs. New Zealand opener Devon Conway fell for 54 shortly before stumps –– his third score of over fifty in just five Test innings following the 29-year-old left-hander’s stunning 200 on debut against England at Lord’s this month. Jamieson is also in the early stages of his Test career yet the towering paceman still had a miserly return of 5-31 in 22 overs, including 12 maidens. The 26-year-old’s fifth five-wicket haul in just eight career Tests included the prize scalps of India captain Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant.

Yet India’s quicks also bowled well in helpful, overcast conditions that made batting difficult, with Mohammed Shami unlucky not to take a wicket after repeatedly getting lift from a good length. In a match marred by weather interruptions –– Friday’s first day was washed out without a ball bowled –– India resumed on 146-3. Kohli was 44 not out and Ajinkya Rahane unbeaten on 29. Such was New Zealand’s accuracy, Kohli’s 132-ball innings included just one boundary –– a cover-driven four off left-armer Neil Wagner to get off the mark. India’s 211-7 at lunch became 213-9 soon afterwards when Jamieson dismissed tailenders Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah with successive deliveries. But No 11 Shami denied Jamieson a hat-trick with a cover-driven four worthy of a batsman. Tom Latham and Conway may have had some lucky moments but they also demonstrated a sound technique during a classic Test-match opening partnership of 70 that spanned more than 34 overs. Match referee Chris Broad has a special dispensation to extend this final into a sixth day should he feels that will compensate for time lost earlier in the game.