NEW ZEALAND v INDIA 1989-90

Toss: New Zealand.

A painstaking century by Wright put New Zealand on their way. Yet on the first morning, when the pitch had a touch of green to help the seam bowlers, Prabhakar in particular beat the New Zealand captain with deliveries which swung away late from the left-hander. Even as the pitch eased in the afternoon Prabhakar persisted, and his figures bore no testimony to his skill. Wright took all day to score an unbeaten 127, his century coming in almost five hours off 242 balls, but he had a confident partner in Jones, who drove handsomely during their second-wicket partnership of 105. Crowe was acquisitive, helping add 51, and Greatbatch, having survived three chances before the close, accompanied Wright in a partnership of 125, New Zealand's best for the fourth wicket against India, as the home side made measured progress on the second day. Wright had been batting for nine and a quarter hours (443 balls) and was well past his previous highest score in Tests when he was fifth out, providing a second wicket for the slow left-armer, Raju. Playing in his first Test, Raju bowled accurately and effectively. By stumps, India had lost three wickets to Hadlee, among them that of Azharuddin, who made 31 off the first 21 balls he faced. Superb driving, and lithe wrists in his leg-side shots, brought him six fours. He was in only 48 minutes (44 balls) for his 48, and even the most partisan spectator was loath to see him go.

India started the third day in a frenzy, scoring 34 in seven overs. Hadlee was hit out of the attack, but when Morrison took over at Hadlee's end and bowled with the wind behind him, he stole the show. In six overs he took five for 16, and India collapsed dismally from 146 for three to be all out for 164. It was during this fiercely competitive spell of fast bowling that Morrison put Sidhu out of the tour with a wrist injury. Raju, who had been sent in as night-watchman, was last out after 155 minutes of stern battle. The lead, 295, was New Zealand's third largest, and India were asked to follow on.

After lunch, as Raman and Prabhakar put on 80 for the first wicket, the match bore an air of normality. Then, with Hadlee in his second spell, Manjrekar secured a place in history when he dragged an inside edge on to his stumps and became Hadlee's 400th Test victim. Azharuddin played another delightful innings, but again it was too brief. He was bowled recklessly attempting to hit Bracewell out of the ground. Raman earned his best Test score of 96, batting for five and a half hours, but although there were also acts of defiance from Kapil Dev, Raju and Wassan, New Zealand won with a day to spare.

Man of the Match: J. G. Wright.

Close of play: First day, New Zealand 255-3 (J. G. Wright 127*, M. J. Greatbatch 21*); Second day, India 97-3(N. S. Sidhu 27*, S. L. V. Raju 7*); Third day, India 210-5 (W. V. Raman 85*, Kapil Dev 4*).