Indian bowlers put hosts on top by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Ground:	Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur
Scorecard:	India v New Zealand
Player:	JD Ryder, S Sreesanth
Event:	New Zealand in India 2010/11

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DateLine: 20th November 2010

 

The Indian bowlers never let their foot off the throttle as they helped the hosts take the upperhand against New Zealand on the first day of the third and the final Test. At stumps New Zealand were struggling at 148 for seven in 56 overs.

 

Sreesanth took two for 20 in nine overs, while Ishant ended with figures two for 32 in 13 overs. Pragyan Ojha took two for 49 in 19 overs, while Harbhajan Singh took one for 42 in 15 overs. Jesse Ryder scored 59 from 113 balls.

 

Earlier, New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori won the toss and elected to bat after the start of the match was delayed by three hours because of a wet outfield caused by persistent rain in Nagpur in the past few days. Martin Guptill was promoted to open the innings with Tim McIntosh. The visitors batted with caution before the havoc was caused. Sreesanth provided the first breakthrough for India when he claimed the wicket of Guptill for six. Soon Sreesanth sent the other opener back to the dressing room when he breached McIntosh's defenses.

 

Soon Ishant Sharma got into the act as he trapped Taylor leg before wicket with a fast incoming delivery for 20. In the next over, Kane Williamson perished for a duck when he chipped Ojha straight into the hands of Virender Sehwag at short cover. Things continued to get worse when captain Daniel Vettori played one back on to his stumps and bowled for three as he tried to pull a short delivery from Ishant.

 

The Kiwis managed to avoid any further setbacks in the session as they reached 72 for five in 26 overs at tea on the opening day. Ryder continued to attack after tea when he pulled Harbhajan through the leg side for a four and then cut Ojha through covers for another boundary, in the next over. Ojha stuck in the same over when he claimed the wicket of Gareth Hopkins, who was caught at second slip for seven.

 

McCullum hobbled into the middle and joined Ryder, who himself was struggling to run. Both players carried injuries from the previous match and therefore were not granted the comfort of a runner by the two umpires. Ryder looked to attack the bowlers as he lofted Harbhajan back over his head for a boundary. The left-hander continued his good batting run against India as he completed his half-century 81 balls, in the 38th over.

 

Ryder and McCullum looked to build the innings slowly and steadily before Harbhajan broke through. The off-spinner got his first wicket of the innings when he got Ryder caught in the covers after a good knock of 59 from 113 balls, laced with four boundaries.

 

The light faded fast as stumps were called with New Zealand on 148 for seven in 56 overs.