The Kiwis have not yet given up hope of an improbable victory in the first Test against India if off-spinner Paul Wiseman is to be believed.
Wiseman played a vital role earlier today in helping his side avert the follow-on at the Sardar Patel Stadium near Ahmedabad, scoring 27 in a vital 67 run partnership for the ninth wicket with fellow spinner Daniel Vettori to rescue the Kiwis from certain doom.
He then returned to claim four wickets in the Indian second innings to keep the home team from scoring at too quick a pace. The Indians eventually made 209 for the loss of 6 wickets at a run rate of 4.66 before applying the closure, but it could have been much more.
"The four wickets were not very thrilling," Wiseman told reporters. "Wickets were bound to fall as the batsmen were going for quick runs. Daniel [Vettori] was bowling very well at the other end and was unlucky not to get wickets."
Wiseman felt that skipper Stephen Fleming losing the toss was a big disadvantage. "We would have liked to bat first as well," he said.
Asked what the Kiwis have in mind for the fifth and final day, he said: "We have to play each ball on its merits. Reassess things as they happen tomorrow at lunch. If we get off to a good, fast start, then anything can happen."
The pitch has been the subject of some debate at the stadium, but Wiseman felt it was a good cricket track. "The pitch has held together well," he said. "It is well bound and has some bounce. India has two very good spinners in Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, who could be a handful tomorrow. It is going to be tough and on the fifth day the pitch will definitely take turn."
The secret to bowling well on this wicket, according to Wiseman, is to bowl as slowly as possible. "The wicket itself is slow and I tried to give the batsmen no pace off the wicket."
It remains to be seen if the Indian spinners can do likewise.
