New Zealand bowling coach Shane Jurgensen says partnerships will be crucial to his team's survival on the fifth and final day of the first Test against India here yesterday
India's skipper Virat Kohli successfully appeals against New Zealand's star batsman Ross Taylor in Kanpur yesterday
India's skipper Virat Kohli successfully appeals against New Zealand's star batsman Ross Taylor in Kanpur yesterday. Pic/PTI
Kanpur: New Zealand bowling coach Shane Jurgensen says partnerships will be crucial to his team's survival on the fifth and final day of the first Test against India here yesterday.
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Chasing a history-defying 434-run target, New Zealand need 341 more runs to win or bat through the day on the fifth-day pitch to save the match.
The Kiwis have Luke Ronchi and Mitchell Santner at the crease for the visitors but lost key batsmen including captain Kane Williamson on day four to end at 93 for four.
"We made some adjustments today. I think like that last partnership towards the end today, we've just got to keep fighting and that's the way we play cricket, we have to fight till the end. There is still six wickets to go and if you get a good partnership going, and we saw that today when India batted, if you get a good partnership you can score at a decent rate, and more importantly you can bat for time," Jurgensen said in the press conference.
"That's our goal, to fight for as long as we can, have a good start in the morning and really try and fight as far as we can." Asked how difficult it is for them to turn things around against such quality Indian spinners, he said not buckling under pressure is key.
Accepting the challenge
"Some (balls) turn, some don't and some jump. It's just a matter of not feeling the pressure and starting to accept the challenge and play with a smile on your face. What a great opportunity it is tomorrow to come out on the fifth day. If we attack that it's our best opportunity to get through," he said sounding optimistic.
The coach refused to comment when asked if Martin Guptill will be retained in side. He is having an awful run including two failures in the ongoing Test.
"I think he was a bit unlucky today in the way he got out. That's not really my area, selection, but it was a pretty tough situation to go out there and the way he unfortunately got it is a bit unlucky really. But history shows, guys will be given every opportunity, that's from my limited time with the Black Caps. Today it was unlucky the way he got out."
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