Cricket: Blacks Caps' hopes fade

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AHMEDABAD, India: Harbhajan Singh completed a maiden test century while VVS Laxman fell just short of his 100 as India batted to 255-8 at tea and toward a likely draw on the final day of the first test against New Zealand.

Harbhajan was 110 not out with Pragyan Ojha on seven as India took a lead of 283 into the final session after starting the day at 82-6.

Harbhajan and Laxman (91) added 163 for the seventh wicket, rescuing India from a precarious 65-6 on the fourth day when Chris Martin had ripped through the top order with a five-wicket haul.

Harbhajan, who bettered his previous career-best score of 69 in the first innings, set the tone with a crisp drive for four through covers off Martin in the third over of the day and got to his fifty with a glance to the leg side off the same bowler.

Harbhajan overtook Laxman by the end of the first session and stayed ahead during most of the remaining time together as he played his shots. He slowed a little in the 90s, when he gave a return catch to Martin who failed to latch on to it.

The lower-order batsman reached his first 100 in style, jumping out and hoisting left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori for a huge six over the cover boundary.

Laxman, whose batting has rescued India on several occasions - including a second-innings knock of 281 against Steve Waugh's Australia at Eden Gardens nine years ago - brought up his half-century with a four through mid-wicket off offspinner Jeetan Patel.

Laxman, who resumed the day on 34, batted close to six hours and hit nine fours during his crucial knock. He was unlucky to miss out on a 17th test century when he was given out lbw to New Zealand captain Vettori by umpire Steve Davis, as replays showed a clear inside edge on to the pad.

It was the third consecutive time Laxman proved his worth a crunch situation. He had struck an unbeaten 103 against Sri Lanka at Colombo for a five-wicket victory, then produced a determined 73 not out to star in a one-wicket win over Australia in the first of two tests last month.

New Zealand skipper Vettori had fewer attacking resources after Hamish Bennett and Jesse Ryder were unable to bowl due to injuries, and Martin was far less effective in the first session Monday after his 5-25 performance on Sunday.

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- AP