2nd Test: Sharma’s career-best haul gives India upper hand

NZ bowled out for 192; India trail by 92 runs on day one.

WELLINGTON:

A career-best six-wicket haul by Ishant Sharma put India firmly in charge at stumps on the opening day of the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington on Friday.

New Zealand were rolled for 192 in their first innings and at the close India were 100 for two with Shikhar Dhawan on 71 and Sharma, playing the nightwatchman role, on three.

Murali Vijay was the first wicket to fall, caught behind by BJ Watling off Tim Southee for two. He tried to pull out of the way of a rising delivery but it cut back sharply to skim his gloves on the way to the keeper.

Cheteshwar Pujara was out 10 minutes before stumps for 19 when rapped on the pads by Trent Boult.

India’s 100 came from 28 overs as the wicket lost its early feistiness in the late afternoon sun.

New Zealand struggled through 52.5 overs for their 192 with Sharma taking six for 51, following another six-wicket bag in the first Test, while Mohammed Shami finished with four for 70.

I do what is needed of me: Sharma

Sharma deflected praise of his own performance and said India had learned from the way they dismissed New Zealand for 105 in the second innings of the first Test.

“It’s a team sport,” said Sharma. “Whatever the team needs from me I do that.”

New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson said the state of the wicket helped as well.

“They got the ball to swing nicely and they bowled very well,” said Williamson. “It was definitely a good challenge batting first on it and it was nice to scrape together a scrappy total.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 15^th, 2014.

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