New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said yesterday he was surprised by his team's victory inside three days in the opening cricket Test against India here.
"We were nervous going in there in the second innings and looking at the fourth and fifth day," Fleming said after his team's 10-wicket victory at the Basin Reserve here for a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series.
"We're thrilled about it," he said, adding he thought the Kiwis may have given away their advantage after giving up a solid start in their innings to be 201-7 at stumps on day two.
"We thought we had let an opportunity go by," he said.
But Fleming was happy that the lower-order was able to contribute yesterday morning, with the Kiwis eventually being dismissed for 247, a lead of 86 runs and giving their bowlers some breathing space.
"We tried to get as many runs as possible from the last three batsmen and the 40-odd runs were good," he said.
"We had to chase and bowl them out quickly. I think it was fantastic to do that."
The New Zealand fast bowlers, led by Shane Bond (4-33), made short work of the Indian batting in the second innings, dismissing the tourists for 121.
"Bond is a quality fast bowler," said Fleming.
"A couple of guys also backed him very well and, with [left-arm spinner] Daniel Vettori in the wings, I think we have a good strike-power. Everybody contributed. I am pleased with the way we delivered."
Fleming said he hoped to keep pressure on the Indian batting line-up in the second Test at Hamilton, with the wicket there also expected to favour pace.
"India have a quality batting line-up, but we're still encouraged by what we saw today," he said.
"The wicket at Hamilton won't be much different and if we can exploit the Indian batsmen in certain areas I think we'll be in with a chance.
"We'll have to do that with quality play. We hope to do things very well again and I don't see any reason why we can't."
The New Zealand captain said he was delighted with the way his fast bowlers had kept pressure on the Indian batsmen throughout the innings and did not allow Sachin Tendulkar to build a partnership.
"I was pretty agitated when we bowled Tendulkar off a no-ball," said Fleming.
Tendulkar was on three when he inside-edged a Bond no-ball on to his stumps and then went on to compile 51.
"I always feel when he is at the crease he can add a few more runs than what you would like," he said.
RSS