Perfectly epitomising what his role has been for New Zealand cricket over the entire length of his Test career, BJ Watling carried on keeping the wickets even after dislocating a finger on his right hand on the final day of the World Test Championship final against India.
He was hurt on his hand by a Kane Williamson’s throw when Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant tried to steal a single in the second half of the first session on the final day.
New Zealand had India in deep trouble with the wickets of Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara early on in the day before Ajinkya Rahane and Rishabh Pant steadied the ship. However, the partnership could not last longer as Rahane was dismissed strangled down the leg side off Trent Boult to leave India reeling under pressure.
Kyle Jamieson, who took a five-wicket haul in the first innings continued to be the star performer for the Blackcaps with the wickets of both Kohli and Pujara on deliveries outside off stump. Kohli was worried about the balls nipping back to him and edged one behind to BJ Watling while Pujara, too, was dismissed in a rare manner of poking outside his off stump.
India had conceded a lead of 32 runs in the first innings which has turned out to be a detrimental factor in their progress on the final day of the big final.