cricket

Seifert hits maiden half century

WELLINGTON, New Zealand, Feb 6, (AP): Wicketkeeper Tim Seifert hit 84 from 43 balls Wednesday to help New Zealand to an 80-run win over India in the first of three Twenty20 internationals.

Seifert’s maiden half century lifted New Zealand to 219-6 after being put in to bat, and the team then handed India their worst loss in Twenty20 whenthey were bowled out for 139 in 19.2 overs. It was only the eighth time India have been bowled out in a T20 international.

An opening partnership of 86 in 8.2 overs between Seifert and Colin Munro (34) got New Zealand off to a strong start.

Captain Kane Williamson hit 34 from 22 balls, Ross Taylor 23 from 14 and Scott Kuggeleijn 20 from only seven deliveries as New Zealand posted

New Zealand’s Colin Munro (right), batting in front of India’s MS Dhoni during the twenty/20 cricket international between New Zealand and India in

Wellington, New Zealand, on Feb 6. (AP)

India’s Dinesh Karthik dives to take the catch after saving it over the boundary to dismiss New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell for 8 during the Twenty20 cricket international between New Zealand and India in Wellington, NewZealand, Feb 6. (AP )