Cricket: India in control

New Zealand bowler Tim Southee jubilant after capturing the wicket of Indian opener Murali Vijay during day one of the second ANZ cricket test against India. Photo / Mark Mitchell.

India have a firm grip on the second test after a day on which they shut the door on New Zealand's hopes of victory at the Basin Reserve.

At stumps, New Zealand were 24 for one, with Hamish Rutherford on 18, Kane Williamson on four.

The batsman out was Peter Fulton, who shouldered arms to left armer Zaheer Khan and was given lbw by umpire Steve Davis for one. Fulton is in a slump but on other days he might have got the benefit of a ball which appeared to strike his pad fractionally outside the off stump.

India took a 246-run lead when they were all out for 438 in the final session today.
Ajinkya Rahane hit his maiden test century, a classy 118, while captain MS Dhoni made 68, the pair sharing an important 120-run stand for the seventh wicket.

Earlier opener Shikhar Dhawan was caught behind for 98, just shy of a second consecutive century in the series.

The wickets were shared about, with three each for Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner and a maiden wicket on debut for Jimmy Neesham.

The game is well advanced but the pitch is playing well. New Zealand, who lead the series 1-0, will need to bat outstandingly if they are to save the test and win the series.

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