Christchurch: New Zealand were 63/0 at stumps in response to India’s first innings total of 242 on the first day of the second Test match at the Hagley Oval, here on Saturday.
New Zealand opener Tom Latham (27) and Tom Blundell (29) survived the opening burst from India’s new-ball bowlers and provided a solid start to their team. Kiwis are trailing by 179 runs after the end of Day 1.
India were going strong at 194 for five at tea but lost wickets in quick succession after the play resumed. Pacer Kyle Jamieson triggered the collapse with his impressive bowling figures of 5 for 45.
Hanuma Vihari top-scored for India with his combative 55 while Prithvi Shaw (54) and Cheteshwar Pujara (54) also hit fifties.
Earlier in the morning, the toss was delayed by 45 minutes due to drizzle in Christchurch. Kiwi captain Kane Williamson once again won the toss and invited to bat on a green top at the Hagley Oval.
Trent Boult dismissed opener Mayank Agarwal (7) cheaply early. However, young opener Prithvi Shaw took the attack to the New Zealand new-ball bowlers and made sure there wasn’t much damage in the pre-lunch session.
Prithvi Shaw scored 54 before throwing his wickets 15 minutes before lunch was taken. Shaw became the 2nd youngest Indian batsman after Sachin Tendulkar to hit a Test fifty in New Zealand before failing to convert the start into a big knock.
Captain Virat Kohli then joined Cheteshwar Pujara as the duo saw off a tricky phase of 15 minutes after lunch.
However, Kohli’s poor run continued as he perished for 3, taking his tally to an ordinary 204 in 10 innings on the ongoing New Zealand tour.
Vice-captain Ajikya Rahane (7) also fell cheaply as New Zealand picked up 2 wickets in quick succession after lunch. (UNI)
