New Zealand survive testing spell from Sreeanth (Lunch report)

HYDERABAD - New Zealand rode on luck as they survived a torrid spell of fast bowling from S.Sreesanth to reach 75 for one at lunch on the first day of the second cricket Test against India here Friday.

Sreesanth dismissed Brendon McCullum (4) caught by wicket-keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni after New Zealand captain Daneil vettori decided to take first strike on a track that had some bounce and movement.

The Kerala speedster extracted appreciable movement from the pitch and was also helped by the overcast conditions. Tim McIntosh (25) and Martin Guptill (36) had a tough time negotiating Sreesanth’s swinging deliveries, but raised a 71-run stand.

Sreesanth had the wicket of Guptill, who edged behind, but the batsman got a life as it was a no-ball.

At the other end, Zaheer Khan had McIntosh in trouble with some sharp deliveries. McIntosh, however, hung on before hitting some good strokes off the left-handed Zaheer.

Guptill was second time lucky when he was on 11 as he edged Harbhajan Singh behind, but Dhoni could not hold on. The ball hit Dhoni’s finger and fell wide of V.V.S. Laxmam at slip.