1.00pm
New Zealand pace bowler Daryl Tuffey struck twice almost immediately to fully justify captain Stephen Fleming's decision to bowl first against India in the first cricket test in Wellington today.
Tuffey removed Indian openers Virender Sehwag and Sanjay Bangar inside the first six overs to have the tourists nine for two.
Indian
danger man Sehwag was removed in just the second over for two in near gale-force northerly winds at an overcast Basin Reserve.
Tuffey, given the task of running into the wind, nipped a good length delivery back into Sehwag and clipped the top of middle stump.
It brought the in-form Rahul Dravid to join Bangar at the crease at two for one, but he got under way confidently off paceman Shane Bond -- who was struggling with his accuracy downwind -- with a cover drive for two and a square drive for four.
Tuffey had more success in his third over when he brought one back to Bangar who didn't offer a shot and was caught by Scott Styris at third slip for one.
There was doubt whether Bangar had gloved the ball but umpire Asoka de Silva had no hesitation.
That brought India star Sachin Tendulkar to the wicket to join Dravid.
New Zealand predictably omitted paceman Mike Mason from their team, meaning towering allrounder Jacob Oram would likely come on as first change bowler.
Dravid and Tendulkar were largely untroubled as they saw India through to the drinks break at 29 for two after 13 overs.
Tendulkar warmed up with two superbly struck boundaries off Oram through backward point and extra cover, after he replaced Tuffey who bowled four overs.
Bond struggled to make the batsmen play enough, and Dravid carved him backward of point for four as he strayed wide of off stump. The Canterbury paceman was spelled after six overs for 16 runs.
Tuffey replaced him and had a big leg before wicket shout against Dravid turned down by Australian umpire Daryl Harper.
After a tidy start, Oram had his big moment when he snared the prize wicket of Tendulkar.
Midway through his fourth over, Oram swung a ball back into Tendulkar who stretched forward but didn't offer a shot.
Umpire de Silva gave the appeal. It looked to be on line with the stumps but side-on replays showed it would have bounced over.
Tendulkar departed for eight and India were 29 for three with captain Sourav Ganguly joining Dravid 40 minutes before the lunch break.
- NZPA
