Cricket News : India v/s New Zealand, 1st Test – Day 2 report

Led by skipper Kane Williamson’s brilliant innings, New Zealand gained the upper hand in the 1st Test against India at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. The New Zealand skipper missed out his 22nd Test century by just 11 runs as bad light stopped play ahead of the scheduled close of play on Day 2 with New Zealand leading by 51 runs at stumps on Day 2. 44 by Ross Taylor, who is playing his 100th Test Match, and 30 by Tom Blundell at the top of the order for New Zealand helped the home side to 216 for 5 in their 1st innings at the end of day 2’s play. For India, Ishant Sharma was the most effective bowler, picking up 3 wickets, while Mohammad Shami and Ravichandra Ashwin scalped 1 each and India showed some fight in the final session of Day 2. Earlier, India, who resumed day 2 on 122/5, had a comical collapse and were cleaned up by the New Zealand fast bowler for just 165 runs in their 1st innings. For India, Ajinkya Rahane was the top scorer with 46, while Mayank Agarwal’s 34 remained the 2nd highest individual score by an Indian batsman. For the home side, Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson were the wrecker in chiefs, picked 4 wickets a piece while Trent Boult scalped 1 on his return to international cricket after an injury lay off