http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 before lunch on 2nd day of Ahmedabad Test
India started the 2nd day with a mammoth overnight score of 329/3. The overnight batsmen Sachin Tendulkar and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/VVS-Laxman-c2772 started the proceedings in a steady manner as they played watchfully in start of their innings to avoid any threat that a
fresh second day pitch offered.
In the start, New Zealand fast bowler Hamish Bennett did not bowl any overs in the 2nd outing as he suffered a groin strain on the opening day of the match. The medical staff said that it’s early to determine the seriousness of the injury.
The injured pace-bowler showed a lot of promise with his pace and extra bounce on a dead wicket as he continuously clocked 140 km/h, taking figures of 0/47 in 15 impressive overs.
Moreover, his absence might not hurt the Kiwis as they have enough options in the wings. The main wicket takers for the visitors have been Chris Martin, Jessie Ryder and Daniel Vettori with one wicket apiece.
Previously, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rahul-c83321 Dravid, who also mustered a steady ton to boost their team’s first day’s total to 329 runs.
Tendulkar and Laxman associated themselves in a steady partnership of 56 runs in almost 30 overs. Afterwards, the master batsman fell to a soft dismissal as Jeetan Patel claimed an easy return catch to get rid of Sachin, caught and bowled. In the process
the Indian legend added 40 runs to the total.
A couple of minutes later, Patel brought about the demise of Laxman as he delivered a straighter one that struck the batsman right in-front of the wicket to get him plumb lbw. He too, gathered 40 runs to match his overnight partner.
Patel’s double strike has brought the New Zealanders right back into the game.
Just before lunch, the score was 392/5. Kane Williamson, the off-spinner chipped in with the wicket of Suresh Raina for 3 runs.
Raina batted for 19 balls. It was a test of his patience and character. Raina was struggling to time the ball from ball one. His impatience brought his demise as he went hard at the ball to dominate the bowler, only managing to edge one straight to Brendon
McCallum, who took a sharp catch to give Kane his first victim.
The first session belongs to the visitors as they struck thrice before lunch, conceding just 63 runs. The slow run-rate is the main factor of India’s first half debacle as they tried to dominate, after a sluggish start. The credit should be given to New
Zealand bowlers as they kept things quiet with their disciplined bowling.
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