New Zealand bowlers enjoy ‘fun’ day out against Windies

HAMILTON ( New Zealand): New Zealand enjoyed a “fun” day out as Tim Southee and Trent Boult ensured they seized command on a rain-affected day two of the second Test against the West Indies in Hamilton.

Southee and Boult starred with bat and ball as the West Indies were left struggling 158 runs behind on the first innings with only two wickets remaining yesterday.

The tail-end batsmen boosted New Zealand to 373 in their first innings with a 61-run last wicket stand.

The new ball pair then bagged four wickets between them on a benign pitch as the West Indies plummeted to 215 for eight at stumps.

Southee has two for 34 and Boult two for 67.

“That was good fun, in terms of the game,” said Boult who smacked an unbeaten 37 off 27 balls to lift his average to 16.03.

“Obviously in a first innings where we want to go big and get as many on the board as we can so a combination of runs and keeping their bowlers out there and their fielders and batsmen was pretty important.

“Believe it or not I take a lot of pride in my batting. Any contribution, not just myself but the lower order, is very pivotal.” ■ DHARAMSALA (India): Suranga Lakmal picked up a career-best 4-13 as India was bowled out for 112 runs in 38.2 overs in the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Dharamsala yesterday.

Nuwan Pradeep returned 2-37 as India was at one stage reduced to 29-7.

MS Dhoni scored 65 runs as he salvaged some pride for the hosts. Even so, this was India’s lowest ODI total at home since 1993 when they were bowled out for 100 by the West Indies at Ahmedabad.

Put into bat, India started poorly as both openers were dismissed with the scoreboard on 2-2. Angelo Mathews (1-8) trapped Shikhar Dhawan (0) lbw, while Rohit Sharma (2) was caught behind off Lakmal.

Lakmal was nearly unplayable as the Indian top order struggled. Dinesh Karthik was out lbw for an 18-ball duck and Manish Pandey (2) was caught at slip.

Pradeep got into the act as debutant Shreyas Iyer (9) played on. Afterwards, Hardik Pandya (10) edged him to slip with India toiling at 28-6. — Agencies