Cricket: India rip through NZ in first session

New Zealand's Ross Taylor walks from the pitch after being bowled by India's Ishant Sharma in Hamilton today. Photo / Getty Images

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India applied a stranglehold early on day one of the first cricket test against New Zealand at Seddon Park in Hamilton today, vindicating captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's change of heart by having the hosts lurch to 61 for six at lunch.

India's players had been expecting to bat first if Dhoni won the toss but he instead inserted New Zealand, reasoning there could be some early assistance for his pace attack.

Opening bowlers Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma's immaculate line and length then succeeded in placing New Zealand on the verge of an embarrassing capitulation.

New Zealand were guilty of losing wickets in clumps during a disastrous first session as India's pace duo thrived despite sound batting conditions.

Martin Guptill's test debut lasted 20 deliveries before he edged to Rahul Dravid's juggling hands at second slip for 14.

Khan struck again in his next over when Daniel Flynn was caught down the legside for a three-ball duck by wicketkeeper Dhoni to leave New Zealand at 17 for two.

New Zealand could have been in even deeper trouble had Virender Sehwag not failed to latch on to a catch - and then rebound - when Ross Taylor drove his second ball into the gully.

However, Sehwag's indiscretion proved irrelevant.

Opener Tim McIntosh held up an end with his typically cautious approach but three balls after cover driving his solitary boundary, the left-hander could not avoid directing a ball that angled across him to Sehwag.

McIntosh departed for 12 from 52 balls before Sharma added Taylor and James Franklin to his collection in quick succession.

Taylor had his off stump uprooted on 18 after the ball clipped his pad and two balls later allrounder Franklin, a form batsman in the domestic competition, was unlucky to be adjudged caught behind by Australian umpire Simon Taufel for a duck after replays indicated the ball brushed his pad.

Vice-captain Brendon McCullum's demise for three when he sparred Munaf Patel to VVS Laxman in the slips cordon continued the slide.

Jesse Ryder was at the crease on 13 while captain Daniel Vettori was yet to score.

Sharma had three for 27 from 10 overs and Khan two for 21 from eight.

- NZPA