McIntosh century boosts New Zealand in the first Test
The left-hander hit 10 fours and a six before being bowled by Zaheer Khan in the penultimate over of the day.
McIntosh added 147 runs with Martin Guptill (85) for the second wicket and 55 for the third with Ross Taylor (24) to steady the New Zealand boat after the early dismissal of opener Brendon McCullum. Jesse Ryder was on 22 and Gareth Hopkins was yet to open his account when stumps were called for the day.
Zaheer Khan was the most successful bowler, ending the day with two for 41 from 18 overs.
“We’re just ahead of them at the moment,” said India’s bowling consultant Eric Simons. “We’re pleased with the carry and seam of the wicket. The first half-hour on the second day will be crucial. If we can take a couple of wickets, it will change the game. I think we have the batting and bowling to come out on top, whatever the situation.”
McIntosh, reached his second Test century in his 15th Test with a single off Harbhajan Singh. He became the first Kiwi opener to score a century outside New Zealand in six years, after Stephen Fleming’s ton against England in 2004.
McIntosh, who bagged a pair in the drawn first Test in Ahmedabad, overcame a tentative start to play some handsome shots on either side of the wicket. He offered a half-chance off Harbhajan when on 81 but Rahul Dravid, running from mid-on, failed to get to the ball in time.
“After losing the early wicket, we kept backing ourselves,” said Guptill of his partnership with McIntosh. “We knew we would have to be patient and our partnership showed that we got it right. “We’ll be looking for a total around 500 so that we can put pressure on the Indians.”
The third and the final Test will be played in Nagpur from November 20.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 13th, 2010.
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