* Ojha takes third five-wicket haul
* India reach 63-2 at lunch
(Updates at lunch)
BANGALORE, Sept 1 (Reuters) – Paceman Tim Southee struck two
early blows as India reached 63 for two at lunch, replying to
New Zealand’s first innings total of 365, on the second day of
the second and final test on Saturday.
At the break, Virender Sehwag (39 not out) and Sachin
Tendulkar (four not out) were at the crease after India lost
opener Gautam Gambhir (two) and Cheteshwar Pujara (nine).
Gambhir, who looked uncomfortable during most of his short
stay at the wicket, was clean bowled when he shouldered arms to
an incoming delivery from Southee.
Pujara, who made a century in the first test in Hyderabad,
was caught at deep fine leg trying to hook the paceman.
Earlier, left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha took his third
five-wicket haul to halt New Zealand’s progress.
The visitors, who opted to bat first after winning the toss,
had added just 37 runs to their overnight score of 328 for six
before India wrapped up the innings 45 minutes into the morning
session.
The first wicket to fall came when Suresh Raina took a
diving catch at second slip off paceman Zaheer Khan to end an
entertaining knock from wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk for 71.
Van Wyk added 99 for the seventh wicket with Doug Bracewell,
who was unlucky to be run out for 43 when the ball burst through
Zaheer’s hand to hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end with
the batsman short of his crease.
The partnership helped New Zealand get past the 350-run
mark, an improvement after they made 159 and 164 in their two
innings in losing the opening test in Hyderabad by an innings
and 115 runs.
Ojha, who had taken four wickets on Friday, polished off the
New Zealand innings by dismissing Tim Southee leg before for 14.
(Reporting by Sudipto Ganguly in Mumbai; editing by Nick
Mulvenney)
