Pandya refutes allegations he insulted Ambedkar

JODHPUR: Hardik Pandya refuted allegations that he had made insulting comments on Twitter, claiming that the tweet in question was posted by a fake account using his name. In a clarification after a court’s direction to file a case against him following a petition accusing him of negative comments against Dr B R Ambedkar, Pandya said he had utmost respect for Ambedkar. The comment read, “which Ambedkar??? The one who drafted a cross law and Constitution or the one who spread a disease called reservation.”

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson was in sight of his 18th Test century as the ball dominated the bat on the opening day of the two-match series with England dismissed for a record low score of 58 at Eden Park on Thursday.

Williamson was 91 not out with Henry Nicholls on 24 as New Zealand advanced to 175 for three at stumps, a lead of 117 after England had been bowled out in the first 90 minutes of play following a Trent Boult and Tim Southee seam onslaught.

Boult and Southee struck early and often after Williamson had won the toss and opted to bowl with the pink ball in the first daynight test in New Zealand.

Boult finished with a careerbest six for 32 after he had ripped the top off England’s batting with 4-9 from his first six overs. Southee finished with 4-25.

While England’s fans buried their heads in their hands and voiced their frustration over social media, it could have been much worse had bowler Craig Overton not produced a counterattacking 33 not out.

REELING AT 23 FOR 8

After slumping to 23-8, Overton hit a boundary to push his side past the lowest score in test history -- the 26 scored by New Zealand against England at Eden Park in 1955.

Overton then ensured they surpassed their own lowest score -- the 45 they limped to against Australia in Sydney in 1887.

Prior to his innings, England’s batsmen had looked totally lost. While Boult and Southee bowled between a good and full length, the ball was not swinging wildly or seaming markedly.

Too many of their batsmen,