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Kyle Mills takes evasive action as James Franklin's direct hit catches Virender Sehwag short - Source: Photosport -
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India were just one run short of New Zealand's first innings
when they accepted an offer of bad light on the second day of the
opening test in Hamilton on Thursday.
The tourists were in complete control at 278 for three in reply to
New Zealand's modest first-day effort of 279 when the umpires
offered them the chance of an early finish and they happily
accepted.
Sachin Tendulkar, who survived a dropped catch on 14, was unbeaten
on 70 with Yuvraj Singh not out eight after Gautam Gambhir and
Rahul Dravid both helped themselves to half-centuries earlier in
the day.
Gambhir struck a patient 72 while a composed Dravid made 66 to lay
the platform to build a healthy first innings lead on a flat
batting deck offering little encouragment to the
bowlers.
New Zealand had made a bright start to the day when they dismissed
dangerous opener Virender Sehwag at the start of the morning
session, which was delayed by 15 minutes because of overnight
rain.
Sehwag had added just two runs to his overnight score of 22 when
he was run out at the non-striker's end by a direct hit from James
Franklin.
But India, who had resumed on 29-0, dominated the rest of the day
with their batsmen all opting for a steady approach at Seddon
Park.
Gambhir brought up his half-century off 101 balls to help India
reach lunch on 108 for one but lost his wicket in the middle
session when he was caught behind by wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum
off the bowling of Chris Martin.
Dravid brought up his fifty off 108 deliveries but a momentary
lapse in concentration cost him his wicket when he was bowled by
Iain O'Brien.
New Zealand almost had a fourth scalp just before the tea break
when Tendulkar mistimed a pull off Daniel Vettori but Daniel Flynn
failed to hold a difficult, running catch at midwicket.
India went to tea on 197-3 but lost Laxman in the final session
when Martin was given the second new ball and Laxman edged to Ross
Taylor at first slip on 30.
Tendulkar made the most of his let-off as he crawled to his
half-century off 118 deliveries but survived the day in sight of
another hundred.
Check out TVNZ.co.nz's blog from Seddon Park here
