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‘Good men’ hailed for grittiness

Kane Williamson’s Black Caps earned huge admiration and respect for their gritty draw in the opening test against India.

The Indian heritage of New Zealand’s defiant last-wicket batsmen Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel wasn’t lost on the local media as the Black Caps saw out a nailbiting final day in Kanpur to finish at 165-9. Both were referred to as ‘‘Indian-born’’, although Ravindra was born in Wellington after his family moved from India, and Patel hails from Mumbai.

‘‘Two Indian-born cricketers, Ajaz Patel and Rachin Ravindra, showed remarkable resilience under fading light and on a deteriorating track to defy India’s famous spinners, eking out a thrilling draw,’’ the Times of India reported. ‘‘It was one of India’s most hard-fought test matches at home in recent times and no one would grudge the ‘Good Men’ from New Zealand again showing their wares in adversity.’’

Cricket site ESPNCricInfo labelled the game ‘‘an engrossing test match’’ and also paid tribute to the two batsmen there at the end.

While applauding the late heroics, they also noted the crucial start to the fifth day by the Kiwis.

‘‘As big a role as Ravindra and Ajaz played in saving the game, the result was also hugely down to Tom Latham and the nightwatchman Will Somerville, who batted out the entire first session.’’

The Indian Express labelled the match a ’’last day epic’’ and ‘‘a draw for the ages’’ as they also played up New Zealand’s Indian connection.

‘‘Destiny brought Rachin and Ajaz together, and they seized the moment. It’s unsure how their career would progress from here, but they have collected memories of a lifetime during those 52 balls.’’

The headline at Fox Sports in Australia screamed: ‘‘How good’s test cricket? Brave last-wicket stand saves Kiwis in thrilling draw with India.’’

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2021-12-01T08:00:00.0000000Z

2021-12-01T08:00:00.0000000Z

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