Zeenews Bureau
Napier, March 30: The Napier Test ended in a draw as India ended their stint on the turf with 476/4 on the final day. The duo of Laxman and Yuvraj saw off the tumultuous weather to retain the visitors’ 1-0 lead over New Zealand in the three match rubber.
It was a Test that would be most remembered for the follow-on inflicted on the famed Indian batting with the Kiwis sounding the danger bells heading into the last match of the series.
New Zealand have found new heroes in the course of the Test in the double centurion Jesse Ryder and an equally potent Ross Taylor.
Laxman looked in his old class and notched up a fine fifty in the process. The morning had belonged to Gautam Gambhir whose grit paved way for India’s fightback after the enforcement of the follow-on. He was claimed by Jeetan Patel at a score of 137 runs after a momentary lapse of concentration after facing a whopping 436 balls.
India had put on a valiant resistance in post-lunch session, taking the scoreboard to 397 runs for four wickets at tea time.
Sachin Tendulkar also came in handy with a cautious 64 to save grace for the visitors after the first innings fiasco. He was done-in by a wily cherry by Chris Martin, but after his partnership with Gambhir had yielded ripe results.
