McCullum's 225 - Easily the best test innings in the recent times for NZ

Was such a great moment when Brendon brought up his 200. I was at the stadium; The innings that I can never forget in my life time.

Team's Batting Performance

Two test draws against India. Batsmen scoring runs more than once a series. Everyone in the top 7 contributing. Openers scoring centuries!!! Three innings without a massive collapse. Two 400+ scores and a 'low' score of 350 in three innings. They may be flat pitches but the NZ batsmen I know would still conspire to get themselves out.

Yet another splendid batting performance from NZ, making it really difficult for India to win a series they entirely expected to win at a canter. The batting in the second innings again showed good intent and discipline, while McCullum will quite rightly take the headlines with a tremendous match saving double ton, Kane Williamson impressed once again. He seemed more positive and fluent than when he made his century in the first Test, he was willing to come down the pitch to the spinners and hit over the top, and his back foot strokeplay was again good.

This is SO GOOD.

What happened to the real NZ? This must be what it feels like to support a proper test team.

What will we all constantly whinge about? Will Jonathan Millmow and the talkback troupe need new jobs? You can't complain much about McIntosh, McCullum and Guptill after this.

India vs New Zealand Day 2 - My Take on the day's action

I watched this day's match at the stadium. The atmosphere was awesome. Every run scored & wicket taken by India team was cheered; although ocassionally any good performance by NZ fielders was also equally cheered by the crowd.

My Take on the day's action:
1. Sehwag's Dismissal at 96:
Man that is such a brainless shot. Sometimes it seems he just doesnt respect the game of cricket, like he just cant be bothered even trying to take it seriously. I guess 'thats how he plays'. Still love him though, my favourite non-nz player, but geez it annoys me to see someone with as much talent as ive ever seen just throw an innings away, at least wait until youve got the ton!

2. Ryder vs Taylor thought while watching the game
With regards to Whether Ryder > Taylor in tests. I was having this conversation today with my friend at the stadium. I think it is too soon to tell. Right now for me Ryder = Taylor. Give Ryder another ten test matches and then I think we will know. Of the two of them I prefer Taylor's technique.

3. On Kane's Dismissal
Dissapointed with Kane's dismissal - I thought a forward defence would have been better than an attempted drive through the on side. Needs to give respect to Khan.

Looking forward to tomorrow's day of play..Go Black Caps

Big positives for NZ after 1st Test

Big positives for NZ to take out of this first game, and they deserve plenty of credit for really pushing India onto the back foot.

The batting was impressive, they were disciplined and patient in registering a more than competitive total. Williamson was outstanding, his understanding of what was required on that pitch was instant, now I don't know if we can expect a more free flowing innings on a pitch with more pace in it, or if he is by nature a watchful player with a very good temperament, as I haven't seen too much of him. He certainly got it right here anyway. I'm looking forward to seeing more of him.

It was Martin's effort that got NZ into a position of potentially winning the game against the odds, great wholehearted effort from him.

India draws the 1st Test with New Zealand: A Review from Black Caps Fan

Fleming said that he was secretly hoping we might steal a win before the tour started. While I had only been dreaming of a draw. I never thought we would get close or be in with a chance. Congrats to the Black Caps and our newly found batting order.

It was a mistake to take Bennett into the game with a 4 man attack but no one in the press didn't call the selectors on it so I guess it was a forgive-able mistake. I sincerely hope he is never picked at any level of cricket in a 4 man attack again.

Whatever could go wrong did go wrong for our bowling attack. Jesse couldn't bowl, Bennett broke down - but everything that could go right did go right for our batting. Including Kane not being given out on 56. And Taylor surviving a close lbw call. And Jesse getting dropped.

A draw against the number 1 team in the world is a good result. Hats off to all concerned.

Other comments I thought Patel bowled reasonably today and thought Vettori should have stuck with him for longer. We should have stacked the boundaries and had Patel toss it up to Harbhajan.

CHRIS & TELL: Martin Rocks Indian Top Order

Yeah, love supporting New Zealand when they play. I've always been a big fan of players and their attitude towards cricket. It's excellent to see them do well, especially when they've been written off before the series even began. Although for the Indian team, they should know never to underestimate weaker opposition as they generally always perform poorly against the out of form sides.

Have been asleep the last eight hours and woke up to this!! Will now also congratulate myself far more than necessary for naming Martin in my imagined bowling attack for this test (it was Martin, Southee, Arnel, Vettori). Love it. I would never ever have expected us to be in a position to win a test in this series and whether they manage it or not, this has been brilliant.

Not too dissimilar so far. I noticed Martin was bowling noticeably slower today than in the first innings, only hovering around the 130 mark. But he had noticeably superior control over line, length and swing. Maybe he's been trying too hard for pace of late and needs to just focus on doing what he does best, like he did today. He's got 4 and a bit tests to go (injury permitting) and 13 wickets to track down. C'mon the greyhound!

I'm putting my neck on the line and saying NZ will comfortably win this. India simply don't have the bowlers for a 'jaws of defeat' victory.

India to be skittled out for 120, NZ to chase the resultant 150 with 7 wickets in hand.