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Gautam Gambhir  smashed his second century of the tour, and Rahul Dravid notched up his fourth half-century in five full innings as India cruised into an unbeatable position in the third and final test against New Zealand, thereby all but securing their series win. India will be looking to bat through at least a session / a session and a half on day four, before inviting the Kiwis to have a go, as they attempt to end their long New Zealand tour with a second test win.

The day started in interesting fashion as Rahul Dravid survived a couple of appeals, the first an lbw shout and the second a bump ball to the slips in Tim Southee's first over as India resumed the day from their overnight score of 51 for 1. (read about day2)

Gambhir meanwhile continued from where he left off yesterday playing an exquisite straight-drive off Southee to notch up the first of many boundaries he hit over the course of the day.

Dravid soon got into the action, hitting Southee for consecutive boundaries to end the 23rd over. The first a cracking square-cut, the second a spanking pull-shot.

Gambhir sauntered through to a chanceless fifty a couple of overs later, and batted on to 96 off just 134 balls through to lunch. Dravid meanwhile brought up his fifty with a beautiful on-drive. His 117 ball effort included an outstanding 9 hits to the fence. The pair ensured that the morning session belonged only to India as they added 119 runs without the loss of a wicket, taking the lead to 352.

Gambhir brought up his hundred almost immediately after the break, dancing down the track to Southee and smashing him through the covers.

The celebrations did not last too long for India however as Rahul Dravid fell in the very next over thanks to some smart work from wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum. Vettori tossed one up to Dravid which the batsman tried to paddle fine, McCullum anticipated brilliantly and got his body in the way, taking an excellent catch to dismiss the legendary 'Wall'.

Tendulkar came and went quickly for once on this tour. After hitting Vettori for a six over long-off, the great man was picked-up by the New Zealand skipper with a slow tossed-up delivery outside the off-stump which spun and took the outside edge. Ross Taylor took an outstanding diving catch at first slip to send Tendulkar on his way in what should surely be his last tour to New Zealand.

Laxman came out into the middle to join Gambhir, and the two were involved in another century-stand more or less batting New Zealand out of the series. The pair took India through to tea at 269 for 3 with Gambhir unbeaten on 151 and Laxman keeping him company with a chanceless 29.

Laxman was dropped on 49 by Jesse Ryder fielding at silly-point off Daniel Vettori. It was a sharp chance, though one that should be taken by a specialist fielding close in. The ball almost deflected to Vettori, who dived valiantly to try and bring about the dismissal. Laxman soon got to a well deserved half-century with a steer down to the vacant third man region for his 8th boundary.

Gambhir's six-hour vigil was brought to an end soon thereafter, New Zealand finally taking the new ball, and getting rewarded instantly with Iain O'Brien picking up the little left-hander playing across the line, getting caught plumb in front.(read about Gambhir's previous century in 2nd test)

Laxman (61) was dismissed in O'Brien's next over, bowled by a beauty that nipped back and clipped the top of off-stump to bring two new batsmen out in the middle for India.

Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni saw India through to the close of play with bad-light ending the day 25 minutes before schedule. The lost time will be made up tomorrow with play starting 30 minutes early.

India are well and truly on top, and Yuvraj & Dhoni might just look to go after the bowling tomorrow morning to drive another dagger into the Black Caps hearts. Should make for a fun Monday morning!

Mini Scorecard

India 1st innings 379 all out
Sachin 62                                           Martin 4-98
Harbhajan 60                                     O'Brien 2-89

New Zealand 1st innings 197 all out
Taylor 42                                            Zaheer 5-65
McIntosh 32                                        Harbhajan 3-43

India 2nd innings 349/5
Gambhir 167                                      O'Brien 2-77
Laxman 61                                         Vettori 2-88

File Photograph Copyright: Rob Grimes

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