Cricket, Lovely Cricket ~

India's day even after losing the toss. Mind you, Rahane too wanted to bat first. But India's bowlers, especially Ashwin in the first session and Bumrah in the last, helped them bundle Australia out for 195. Debutant Siraj too picked up two. India were left with 50 minutes to deal with and Mitchell Starc then put up one of the best displays of fast bowling. It had everything: pace, swing and accuracy. Mayank Agarwal couldn't survive the first over and India couldn't open their account until the fourth when Shubman Gill, the other debutant, struck a boundary. While both Pujara and Gill kept getting beaten, they ensured India didn't lose another wicket today. Gill struck some delectable shots as well in between and moved to 28 off 38 with five fours. Co-incidentally, India finished the day on 36, for 1

An unhurried unbeaten 94 from Kane Williamson steered New Zealand through a testing opening day at Mount Maunganui, helping them end it only three down despite a number of testing spells from Pakistan. The visitors could have found more reward for their efforts with a bit more luck and better catching, but the experience and skill of Williamson, Ross Taylor and Henry Nicholls eventually ensured New Zealand had their noses ahead at stumps.