Cricket: Steady start for New Zealand

New Zealand made a steady start to the second one-day cricket international in Jaipur tonight as they sought to level the five-match series against India.

After 15 overs the visitors had reached 62 for one, with opener Martin Guptill having reached 27 from 34 balls and Kane Williamson 28 from 43 after they were asked to bat first by Indian captain Gautam Gambhir.

Jamie How was the man dismissed for five courtesy of a faint nick in the fourth over bowled by Shanthakumaran Sreesanth.

Guptill and Williamson began their partnership slowly but were starting to accelerate on a dead Sawai Mansingh Stadium wicket which offered little help to the seamers.

India made no change to the side who won the first match by 40 runs at Guwahati on Sunday while New Zealand made two, including the return of captain Daniel Vettori from a back injury.

Vettori replaced allround Grant Elliot while seamer Tim Southee came in for Daryl Tuffey, who flew home from the tour after injury his bicep at Guwahati.

Key wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum again wasn't selected as he continues to recuperate from a back injury.

New Zealand have lost their last seven completed one-day internationals and defeat overnight would see them equal their worst losing trot.

- NZPA

Catch live scoring action of the second ODI.