New Zealand openers dig in against India

Click to enlarge photo

MOHALI, India (Reuters) - Openers Mark Richardson and Lou Vincent made a solid start as New Zealand reached 77 for no loss at lunch on the first day of the second and final test against India on Thursday.

Vincent and Richardson, who was dropped in the third over by Rahul Dravid, were both on 29 after captain Stephen Fleming won an important toss on a slow wicket offering little assistance to the bowlers.

The Kiwis began slowly but started to cut loose after incisive opening spells from Zaheer Khan and medium-pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji, who made his debut in the first drawn test at Ahmedabad last week.

Left-arm paceman Khan induced an edge from Richardson with a ball that seamed away late but Dravid, Indian captain in the absence of injured Saurav Ganguly, floored a regulation catch.

Richardson made sure the Indians were punished for the lapse, majestically driving Balaji straight down the ground for four and then dispatching Khan to the point fence.

But the right-handed Vincent had to use a runner after being struck on the knee by a ball from Sachin Tendulkar, who came on as first change in the 11th over.

New Zealand suffered a blow before the match started, when fast bowler Jacob Oram was ruled out with an injury to his left calf. He was replaced by paceman Ian Butler.

Indian one-day specialist Yuvraj Singh makes his test debut as a replacement for Ganguly.

Email this article to your friend -  View most popular