India v New Zealand

At Cuttack, November 6, 2003 (day/night). New Zealand won by four wickets. New Zealand 5 pts, India 1 pt. Toss: India.

Styris initially helped New Zealand with the ball and then rescued their innings with McMillan after the customary top-order collapse. His 68 was especially meritorious: the pitch was low and slow, the new Barabati Stadium lights seemed underpowered, there were insects everywhere, a jam-packed crowd, the occasional fire and a pitch invader or two. Styris probably would have been there at the end, too, had it not been for a woeful lbw decision from umpire Jayaprakash. Styris conveyed his feelings, which later cost him his match fee. McMillan looked unstoppable once he got going. His unbeaten 82 contained some tireless running between the wickets, the occasional lusty blow, and two of the sweetest imaginable reverse sweeps. Only 33 by Zaheer Khan off 13 balls at the end, including 20 off the final over, from Oram, kept India in the hunt at all.

Man of the Match: S. B. Styris.