Blackcaps bowler Kyle Jamieson added another chapter to his remarkable start to test cricket on Monday (NZ time).
The 26-year-old decimated the Indian batting line-up on day three of the World Test Championship final, claiming first-innings figures of 5/31 to put New Zealand in a commanding position.
The five-wicket haul is his fifth in jus teight test appearances since his February 2020 debut, as the Aucklander continues to stamp his mark on international cricket.
"It was similar to yesterday, we just found the rewards a bit quicker," says Jamieson. "It was about putting the ball in good areas for longer periods, and we were able to do that this morning.
"We spoke about how yesterday unfolded and Tim [Southee] gave us a good chat this morning before we went on the field just around how we wanted to operate this morning."
Jaimeson set the tone for the day by claiming the prized scalp of Indian captain Virat Kohli, as part of an adjusted approach to taking advantage of the favourable overhead conditions.
"The ball was swinging out there a fair amount and probably, at times, almost too much," Jamieson says.
"For me personally.. I tried to wobble the ball more than swing it and just engage guys for longer periods, especially when the seam's still pretty good.
"In New Zealand, it doesn't tend to move as much in the air and instead of guys playing and missing you tend to grab the edge a little bit more... trying to put the ball in the right area and see what happens."
As he swept up the Indian tail, Jamieson sat on a hat-trick, only to be denied the third wicket by Mohammed Shami, who played a courageous attacking stroke.
"Credit to Mohammed Shami, he played a pretty good cover drive there," he says with a grin. "It's just good to contribute and wrap things up nice and quickly."
NZ openers Tom Latham (30) and Devon Conway (54) capitalised on Jamieson's efforts with a determined opening stand, before departing late in the day to leave the veteran duo of Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor at the crease - the Blackcaps in the driver's seat at 101/2 at stumps.
"They were superb," Jamieson notes. "From my short time in the team, that was some of the best batting I'd seen.
"The ball was swinging...the conditions were probably going to be in the bowlers' favour, the way they negotiated a pretty tricky period was outstanding.
"The way they tackled that, built a partnership, and got us to where we are was pretty special."
Join us at 9:30pm Monday for live updates of the World Test Championship final between the Blackcaps and India
