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Sixes galore

Plays of the Day in the third ODI between New Zealand and India in Christchurch


Yuvraj Singh hit the first six of the match © Getty Images
 
The first six
It came only in the 19th over of the Indian innings, perhaps showing the change in mindset from Twenty20 to the 50-over format. In the Twenty20 international at the AMI Stadium, three sixes were hit in the first over and 24 in all. Not to worry though, the six in the 19th over was the first of 18 - a world record - in the Indian innings. It came with a fabulous shot. Ian Butler to Yuvraj Singh, short of a length outside off, and pulled over midwicket, several rows back into the new stand under construction.
The second six
Came in the 23rd over, and it took about five minutes for the ball to be found in the empty stands. The umpires gave up. They called for the fourth umpire and Tim Southee was about to run in with the replacement when a persistent searcher came back with the original ball. The streets outside the AMI Stadium are a good place to be if you have a game tomorrow and are in need of quality balls.
The century
Poor Tim Southee. He was dropped after Virender Sehwag tucked into him in the two Twenty20s but was brought back to replace Iain O'Brien, who was targeted in the first two ODIs. And he equaled compatriot Martin Snedden's effort of conceding 105 runs, but in 10 overs as opposed to Snedden's 12. However, Mick Lewis' record 113 - the most expensive figures in ODIs - remained safe.
The failed effort
In the 32nd over of India's innings, Martin Guptill dived full length to prevent a powerful shot from Mahendra Singh Dhoni from reaching the short cover boundary. But as he got off the ground, he inadvertently kicked the ball over the rope. So much for the splendid effort.
The gloves of steel
On a day that not many balls went through to the wicketkeeper, both Peter McGlashan and Dhoni had moments of embarrassment. McGlashan missed an easy stumping, when Jeetan Patel fooled Dhoni with a straighter one. Had he collected it, McGlashan would have had ages to take the bails off. Dhoni was 5 at the time and went on to score 68. He returned the favour by dropping a sitter from Jesse Ryder off Munaf Patel. Ryder was 43 then, and lofted the next ball over cover for six.
The misleading stat
India conceded their first extra when Yuvraj Singh bowled a wide - New Zealand's 165th run. But don't be fooled into believing India's bowlers were disciplined. That 165h run came in the 22nd over, and the lengths and fielding discipline left a lot to be desired.

Sidharth Monga is a staff writer at Cricinfo