New Zealand v. India Tests

[K]

Ross Taylor will become the first man to 100 international games in each of the three formats.

[K]

N. Narayanan of cricinfo:

"Here I was thinking of Kane as the indie band I had uniquely stumbled upon and possessively loved, only to see him turn into an international sensation adored by millions. I hated everyone who wrote about his unfussy batting and his self-effacing personality, silently cursing them for being Justin Bieber to the Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon. I worried that all this attention would mess up his run-scoring, but more that he wouldn't feel special to me anymore. Why can't people go worship their Kohlis, Smiths and Dhonis and leave Kane to me, I fretted. Why do I have to endure listening to people talk about how he'd break so many records if only he played for a team with a favourable FTP, or about how gracious he was, how modest he was, how universally loved he was?
...

He always manages to look more enthusiastic celebrating a batting partner's hundred than his own, but even then he's mindful of stepping away to let them soak in the applause. He is generous when praising the opposition, never seen angry on the field, always containing his emotions as he walks off. He accepts birthday cake from spectators in Colombo and walks up to thank New Zealand fans for their support after a painful defeat at the MCG. Even when he fails, he shines. He's the internet boyfriend's boyfriend."

[K]

Wagner is out of the first Test (impending childbirth ).

[Donny]

He should've left that up to his wife.

[K]

Leigh Matthews banned his Brisbane players from reproductive activities in December and January, but there's cricket almost all the time now.

[Donny]

India 3/79. Kohli out for 2.

Agarwal 29, Rahane 19*.

[K]

Halfway through day 1,

India 5/108 (45).

Jamieson, the beneficiary of Wagner family expansion, has three wickets. You can have children any time, Neil!

CdG has no wickets, but is doing a job sucking the life out of the innings: 9 overs for only 10 runs.

[Pies4shaw]

So, will you be expecting Kohli to change his initials to FTBVK?

[Pies4shaw]

7/132. Pant badly run out (by about half the length of the pitch) and then Southee bowled Ashwin first ball. Double-wicket maiden, there.

[Pies4shaw]

India all out for 165. Jamieson and Southee each took 4 wickets.

NZ 0/8 (Latham has all the runs and Blundell is yet to score) in reply.

[Pies4shaw]

NZ 1/60 - Latham was out a while back to a soft edge down the leg side. Blundell 30*, Williamson 19*. Sharma took the wicket (in the limited sense that he was bowling when Latham gave himself up).

[Pies4shaw]

Blundell bowled by Sharma for 30. NZ presently 2/78.

[K]

Surely the batting conditions are not as bad as they've made it look...

[K]

NZ 2/116 (39). Tea.

[K]

NZ 3/166 (52.1). And they take drinks.

Taylor departs, but not before NZ take a first-innings lead.