In this Test match, a good example of that was the record eighth wicket partnership for New Zealand in a Test by Dion Nash and Daniel Vettori. Together, they frustrated the Indian bowlers for a total of 238 minutes and scored 137 runs to help put New Zealand into a match-winning position by setting goals, and by talking and encouraging each other. Their desire and effort in rebuilding the damage done when the Black Caps were 208-7 was admirable. Nash was very sound technically, while Vettori looked awkward at times and uncomfortable to the short pitched ball. They took the knocks, defended stoutly and singles, nudges, deflections, were interspersed with some forceful shots. Both bettered the previous eighth wicket partnership record against India, held by Ian Smith and myself, when we scored 103 at EdenPark, Auckland in 1990-91. Once they reached 137, they bettered the all time New Zealand record held by Bevan Congdon and Bob Cunis, made in 1971-72 against the West Indies at Port-of-Spain.

I have the utmost admiration for Nash who promised so much as a youngster, but in recent years has been troubled by injury. He has had to rebuild his bowling technique and regain the lost confidence in his ability, all the time wondering if he would ever play international cricket again.

In age-group cricket, Nash, Shane Thomson and Chris Cairns came through the ranks together and looked to be the `stars on the horizon' as far as the future development of New Zealand cricket. Thomson has been and gone, Cairns has had his moments of success, and Nash is still trying to cement a regular place in the team.

Nash thought it was a good idea to go to England to play county cricket, to further learn and develop his trade. While playing for Middlesex he came back home early with a severe back injury, which sidelined him fortwo seasons. Any thought of Nash coming back from injury to reproduce the form of 1994, when he became the first and the only player to take 11 wickets and score a 50 in the same match at Lord's, was all but gone. During his rehabilitation, he continued to play as a batsman and on rare occasions bowled off-spin, to reduce the possibility of added stress to his back. Though he is always going to have stiffness and experience from time to time, he has now become a valuable member of the New Zealand team.

His competitive attitude keeps the match referee on his toes, and his courage and determination to succeed have earned him the respect of his team mates. Nash now bowls at medium-pace and has become more of a stock bowler than a fast bowler. Settling into that role will never be easy for him because he will always want to bowl the bouncer or the faster ball. His 53 Test wickets at 27 in 17 Tests is respectable enough without being sensational, however it is with his batting that he has come of age. A Testbatting average of 16 is certainly nothing to talk about, however he has the ability to become a genuine all-rounder. His 89 not out today was an innings of endurance, technique, patience, determination and class. Nash batted for just under five hours and for someone who likes to hit the ball hard to the boundary, there were only four boundaries in his innings. By the time he ends his career he should be able to see his batting average into the mid to late 20s. It has now grown to 21.

At the conclusion of day three, India have clawed back their way back into this match. Tendulkar and Ganguly are doing what Nash and Vettori did for New Zealand, occupy the crease, frustrate the bowlers and score runs. If India is to set New Zealand a target of 250 or more, this partnership is crucial. This Test has the makings of being a classic.

SCOREBOARD

India (1st innings): 208

New Zealand (1st innings): Matthew Bell c Mongia b Prasad 4, Matthew Horne b Kumble 38, Stephen Fleming run out (Jadeja) 42, NathanAstle b Kumble 56, Craig McMillan c Dravid b Srinath 24, Adam Parore lbw Kumble 2, Chris Cairns c Tendulkar b Prasad 3, Dion Nash not out 89, Daniel Vettori b Tendulkar 57, Paul Wiseman b Tendulkar 0, Simon Doull lbw Kumble 0;

Extras (lb19, b13, nb5): 37.

Total (all out in 148.4 overs): 352

Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-79, 3-112, 4-162, 5-172, 6-179, 7-208, 8-345, 9-349

Bowling: Srinath 36-6-89-1, Prasad 30-8-67-2, Kumble 45.4-18-83-4, Harbhajan 25-6-61-0, Ganguly 6-0-13-0, Tendulkar 6-2-7-2

India (2nd innings): Ajay Jadeja b Nash 22, Navjot Sidhu lbw Doull 34, Rahul Dravid b Wiseman 28, Saurav Ganguly batting 47, Sachin Tendulkar batting 42;

Extras (lb1, nb5): 6.

Total (for three wickets): 179

Fall of wickets: 1-41, 2-74, 3-112

Bowling: Doull 12-4-26-1, Cairns 11-1-47-0, Nash 6-4-7-1, Vettori 10-2-44-0, McMillan 6-2-16-0, Wiseman 8-1-38-1