Cricket: Tendulkar tumbles as NZ stays on top

Jeetan Patel celebrates his dismissal of Sachin Tendulkar. Photo / Getty Images

Jeetan Patel claimed the coveted wicket of Sachin Tendulkar as a dominant New Zealand continued to pressurise India early on day three of the second cricket test at McLean Park here today.

Tendulkar fell one just short of his 52nd test half century 25 minutes before lunch when caught by Ross Taylor at slip - the first sign of mortality today from test cricket's leading run scorer.

At the end of the first session India were 189 for four in response to New Zealand's mammoth first innings of 619 for nine declared - a deficit of 430.

Rahul Dravid was unbeaten on 57 and VVS Laxman was on 21.

Until Tendulkar snicked to Taylor's safe hands, India appeared to emulating New Zealand's batting recovery as India's most experienced strokemakers guided the tourists from a nervy 79 for three at stumps.

Tendulkar progressed from 0 to 49 in unruffled fashion while Dravid peeled off his 55th test half century in 110 deliveries as India chipped away at a huge deficit.

The pair added an effortless 86 for the fourth wicket and seemed set to construct a substantial stand when Patel struck in his fourth over of the day when Tendulkar looked to play the offspinner through cover point.

Instead the ball took a thick edge to Taylor who took the opportunity nonchalantly.

India, who need 420 to avoid the prospect of following on, might have been in deeper trouble but Daniel Vettori was denied Dravid's wicket after New Zealand umpire Evan Watkin ruled he overstepped.

Dravid feathered an attempted cut to Brendon McCullum's gloves when on 55 but Watkin had already signalled no-ball - though replays suggested the New Zealand captain was unlucky.

Watkin replaced Billy Doctrove before play began after the West Indian was laid low by a chest infection.

Patel had two for 38 from 11 overs at the break while Vettori had two for 34, also from 11.

- NZPA