Matt Henry's career-best 6/27 forces series decider after India collapse
- India was chasing a target of 334 runs at the Bay Oval.
- Henry finished with career-best ODI figures of 6/27.
- The collapse of three wickets for no runs is a rare occurrence in cricket history.
- The series will be decided in the final match at the same venue.
Henry needed only six deliveries to remove the three right-handers for ducks, a performance that recalled the 2019 World Cup semifinal.
The loss of three wickets for no runs has occurred only four times in the history of one-day cricket. This sudden collapse followed an 85-run opening partnership that had previously provided India with momentum before the team lost control against the new ball.
Rohit Sharma departed on the first ball after closing his bat face early and being squared up. Virat Kohli fell to a sharp in-dipper that stayed low, while Shreyas Iyer was dismissed by a delivery that turned back sharply after pitching.
Ishan Kishan also lost his wicket on the first ball he faced, edging the inside edge of his bat onto his leg-stump. These events occurred while India chased a target of 334 runs.
Career-best figures for Henry against India
Matt Henry finished with career-best One Day International figures of 6/27, which marked his fourth five-wicket haul at age 34. The pacer missed the earlier series because of a freak injury.
India has now suffered heavy losses to Henry three times since 2018, including his two wickets in Wellington in 2019 and three wickets in the 2019 World Cup semifinal at Old Trafford.
New Zealand's batting foundation
New Zealand set a target of 334 runs for India to chase. Tim Seifert scored his maiden ODI fifty, becoming the first New Zealand batter to reach that mark in the first 10 overs since Martin Guptill in 2015.
The team achieved its first opening stand of 50 or more runs in eight ODIs.
Auqib Nabi dropped Young twice when the batter was on 5 runs. The Bay Oval surface was easy for batting, though it changed slightly as twilight arrived with a cool breeze.
Kohli reflects on the collapse
Virat Kohli described the defeat as "45 minutes of bad cricket". He linked the collapse to the 2019 World Cup semifinal, stating that the over "cost" India that match.
Series decider looms at Bay Oval
India will play another match at the same venue to decide the series. The performance at Bay Oval set up this final series decider and the Test series that follows.
Early bowling pressure continues
Kyle Jamieson increased the pressure on the Indian lineup by removing Ruturaj Gaikwad. This dismissal contributed to India losing four wickets inside the first 10 overs.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Matt Henry vs India: A familiar storyline awakens ghosts of the past (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
- Matt Henry six-for and Will Young hundred crush India (cricinfo.com)
- Matt Henry (Wikipedia — background) (en.wikipedia.org)
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