Young's ton, Henry's six-for power NZ to 244-run rout of India
Mount Maunganui, Nov 13 (UNI) A commanding century by Will Young and a match-winning six-wicket haul by Matt Henry powered New Zealand to a thumping 244-run victory over India in the fourth ODI at Bay Oval here on Friday.
The victory brought New Zealand back into contention in the five-match series, which now heads to a decider at the same venue, with India leading 2-1. Young anchored New Zealand's innings with a fluent 125 off 108 balls, while Henry tore through India's batting lineup with figures of six for 27 in 9.4 overs as the visitors were bundled out for just 89 in 26.4 overs while chasing 334. After India elected to field, Young and Tim Seifert gave New Zealand a solid start with an 85-run opening partnership. Seifert scored 58 off 48 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes, while Young built his innings steadily before accelerating against the Indian attack.
Young registered his fifth ODI century and his first against India, reaching the landmark off 88 deliveries. His 125 included 14 fours and four sixes and provided the backbone of New Zealand's total of 333 all out in 50 overs. Finn Allen added 41 off 30 balls to maintain the momentum, while skipper Mitchell Santner contributed 24, Kristian Clarke made 22 and Kyle Jamieson remained unbeaten on 19.
Young's innings was also aided by India's poor fielding. He survived two early chances in the opening two overs, with Rohit Sharma dropping a catch at slip off Auqib Nabi before wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan failed to hold another edge off the same bowler. Rohit missed another opportunity when Santner offered a chance off Naman Dhir in the 41st over. Young was eventually dismissed in the 37th over, caught by substitute fielder Kumar Kushagra at deep mid-wicket off Naman Dhir.
India's bowlers managed to make inroads in the middle and later stages, with Axar Patel, Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi claiming two wickets each. Arshdeep Singh and Naman Dhir took one wicket apiece.
In reply, India suffered a disastrous start as Henry struck three times in the opening over to leave the visitors reeling at zero for three. Henry dismissed Rohit Sharma for a golden duck, caught by Finn Allen at first slip, before bowling Virat Kohli for another duck. He then trapped Shreyas Iyer leg before wicket off the final delivery of the over to complete a triple-wicket maiden.
The on-field umpire initially turned down Henry's appeal against Iyer, but New Zealand successfully reviewed the decision. Ball-tracking confirmed that the delivery was hitting the middle stump. Kyle Jamieson compounded India's problems by dismissing Ruturaj Gaikwad for five, caught by Michael Bracewell, as India slipped to nine for four in the sixth over. India's position could have worsened further when Axar Patel offered a chance off Jamieson, but Nick Kelly dropped a straightforward catch at backward point in the 5.4th over.
Ishan Kishan and Axar attempted to rebuild the innings with a 44-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Kishan made 27 off 53 balls, including four boundaries, while Axar scored 21 off 36 deliveries with three fours. New Zealand also lost a review during Kishan's resistance. Fisher appealed for a leg-before decision after the ball struck Kishan's pad, but replays showed a clear inside edge, making the referral unsuccessful. Fisher broke the partnership by dismissing Axar, caught by Allen at slip, before Henry returned to bowl Kishan with a delivery that seamed back between bat and pad. Naman Dhir briefly counter-attacked with two successive sixes off Fisher, including a powerful pull shot, but the pacer eventually dismissed him for 21 off 24 balls, with Santner taking the catch.
Fisher also removed Auqib Nabi, caught by wicketkeeper Tim Seifert, to finish with three for 31 in seven overs. Henry completed his five-wicket haul by bowling Kuldeep Yadav for one and fittingly ended the innings by bowling Gurnoor Brar for two. India were dismissed for 89 in 26.4 overs, with Jamieson claiming one wicket in addition to Henry's six and Fisher's three. The comprehensive victory has brought New Zealand within one win of levelling the series. The fifth and final ODI will be played at the same venue, with India holding a 2-1 lead.
UNI BDN
