Cricket: Black Cap bowlers whip through Indians

MOHALI - New Zealand made an astonishing start to the first cricket test against India after sending the home side into bat yesterday.

Skipper Stephen Fleming's decision paid immediate dividends, with seven wickets falling in a morning session reduced to 75 minutes because of dampness on the pitch.

At lunch, India had staggered to 42, and although their tailenders showed some fight they were dismissed in the afternoon session for a paltry 83.

New Zealand only used three bowlers - Dion Nash claiming an outstanding six for 27, while Chris Cairns and Shayne O'Connor chipped in with two each.

Only Indian skipper Sachin Tendulkar looked at all comfortable against the three-pronged New Zealand seam attack, but he managed only 18 before he was out.

While the wicket had a greenish tinge to it and there was bounce, the movement, was not excessive and New Zealand's morning success was built more on accurate bowling.

O'Connor, who claimed Tendulkar's prized scalp, dismissed Sunil Joshi next ball, but was unable to claim his hat-trick against Anil Kumble.

No 10 batsman Javagal Srinath top-scored with 20, with extras the second biggest contributor with 19.

New Zealand's innings started poorly as well, openers Matthew Bell (0) and Matthew Horne (6) both being dismissed cheaply by Srinath.

But the day belonged to Nash, whose first breakthrough came in the second over when he removed Sadaqopan Ramesh for a duck, the batsman playing on to his stumps.

An over later, Cairns had Rahul Dravid, tormentor of the Black Caps last season, caught in the slips for one.

Nash swung the initiative further New Zealand's way with a double strike in the sixth over, dismissing Debang Ghandi and Sourav Ganguly. - NZPA