Indian bowlers fold Black Caps for 193

PTI

Nagpur, 21 November 2010: Lanky speedster Ishant Sharma celebrated his Test recall in style as he picked two of remaining three New Zealand wickets on second day morning to restrict Kiwis to a paltry score of 193 at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium here.

Ishant first dismissed dangerous Brendon McCullum to dent Kiwi hopes of building a good total, as he got McCullum to edge a perfect off-stump line ball to wicketkeeper Dhoni’s gloves.

McCullum, who got hurt during practice drills on first morning and batted lower down the order, was looking to score quick runs but was undone by Ishant’s brilliant seam bowling.

Ishant then sneaked through debutant McKay’s defence as he fired down a mighty inswinger to crash into McKay’s stumps.

With only last wicket left, Tim Southee decided to cut lose and took Harbhajan to cleaners for two sixes and a boundary in one over. Southee also slapped Ojha for a mighty six over long-on but the Hyderabad spinner had the last smile as he got the batsman to top-edge a flighted delivery to mid wicket where Virender Sehwag made no mistake to take a well-judged high catch.

 Earlier, Indian bowlers worked in tandem on Saturday to paralyze the New Zealand batting order after they elected to bat first in the third and final Test match.

New Zealand were 148 for seven when bad light stopped play 20 minutes before scheduled close of play on day one.

Sreesanth started the proceedings for India by sending the opening batsmen Martin Guptill (six) and Tim McIntosh (four) back to the pavilion with the team score on 2-16.

It was then Ishant Sharma and left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha’s turn to join in the party where they scalped Ross Taylor (20), Kane Williamson (naught) and captain Daniel Vettori (three) to have the visitors tottering at 5-51.

 Sreesanth finished with the figures of 2-20 in nine overs, Ishant finished with 2-32 in 13 overs, while Ojha had figures of 2-49 in 19 overs.

Only Jesse Ryder among the Black Caps prospered today, scoring a stylish 59 off 113 balls.