Ishant's triple strike pegs New Zealand back (Lunch Report)

Wellington, Feb 14 (IANS) India fast bowler Ishant Sharma struck thrice to leave New Zealand in a spot of bother at lunch on day one of the second and final Test at the Basin Reserve here Friday.

New Zealand struggled to 51 for four in 26 overs after Mahendra Singh Dhoni had no hesitation in opting to field amid favourable conditions. Kane Williamson (15) and Corey Anderson (0) were at the crease.

Ishant impressed in his nine over spell of three for 14 while Mohammed Shami took one for 17 in eight overs.

India got the early wickets but they could have got a couple more had they bowled a fuller length on a green pitch.

Ishant removed Hamish Rutherford (12) in the 10th over, the southpaw was unable to negotiate a short ball and nicked it to Murali Vijay at first slip.

The lanky Indian pacer trapped Peter Fulton(13) in front with a fuller delivery that came back off the seam, making it 26 for two.

Tom Lathan, who replaced the injured Ross Taylor in the side, could only last eight balls. Ishant got one another one to seam away, finding the edge of the left hander’s willow on way to the wicket-keeper.

Skipper Brendon McCullum (8) came in the middle to join Williamson. Just when a partnership was developing between the two in-form players, Shami had the dangerous McCullum caught at short cover.

Drama occurred on the last ball of the session with Zaheer Khan getting Williamson caught behind off what turned out to be a no-ball.