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KEY POINTS:
New Zealand 1
India 1
New Zealand and India couldn't be separated in Wellington yesterday, each team dominating a half during the first of four tests.
After playing strongly in the first half and going into the break 1-0 up, the Black Sticks lost their accuracy after India equalised in the 55th minute. New Zealand was caught out on defence when India changed tactics.
India had employed a hard hit into the circle as their main means of attack throughout the match but a sudden shift to a short-passing build-up caught the home team unawares and Shivendra Singh slotted home from close range.
New Zealand's goal came three minutes into the first half, scored by captain Phil Burrows, playing his 212th game for New Zealand. Burrows struck home well from the right, the beneficiary of some good work by Simon Child who dispossessed an Indian defender in midfield.
The Black Sticks found the back of the net a minute or so later, but the ball struck a New Zealand foot on the way and was disallowed.
Scorers:
NZ (P. Burrows), India (S. Singh). Ht: 1-0
