Ton-up McIntosh boosts New Zealand
Saturday, 13 November 2010
HYDERABAD, India, Nov 12, 2010 (AFP) - Opener Tim McIntosh struck a fine 102 to steer New Zealand to 258-4 on the first day of the second Test against India Friday.
The left-hander hit 10 fours and a six during his nearly seven-hour innings before being bowled by Zaheer Khan in the penultimate over of the day at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, hosting its first Test.
McIntosh added 147 runs with Martin Guptill (85) for the second wicket and 55 for the third with Ross Taylor (24) to steady the New Zealand boat after the early dismissal of opener Brendon McCullum.
Jesse Ryder was on 22 and Gareth Hopkins was yet to open his account when stumps were called for the day.
Zaheer Khan was the most successful bowler, ending the day with 2-41 from 18 overs.
"We are just ahead of them at the moment," India's bowling consultant Eric Simons said. "We are pleased with the carry and seam of the wicket. The first half-hour tomorrow (Saturday) will be crucial.
"If we can take a couple of wickets, it will change the game. I think we have the batting and bowling to come out on top, whatever the situation."
McIntosh, who turns 31 next month, reached his second Test century in his 15th Test with a single off Harbhajan Singh.
He became the first Kiwi opener to score a century outside New Zealand in six years, after Stephen Fleming's ton against England in 2004.
McIntosh, who bagged a pair in the drawn first Test in Ahmedabad, overcame a tentative start to play some handsome shots on either side of the wicket.
The left-hander hit 10 fours and a six during his nearly seven-hour innings before being bowled by Zaheer Khan in the penultimate over of the day at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, hosting its first Test.
McIntosh added 147 runs with Martin Guptill (85) for the second wicket and 55 for the third with Ross Taylor (24) to steady the New Zealand boat after the early dismissal of opener Brendon McCullum.
Jesse Ryder was on 22 and Gareth Hopkins was yet to open his account when stumps were called for the day.
Zaheer Khan was the most successful bowler, ending the day with 2-41 from 18 overs.
"We are just ahead of them at the moment," India's bowling consultant Eric Simons said. "We are pleased with the carry and seam of the wicket. The first half-hour tomorrow (Saturday) will be crucial.
"If we can take a couple of wickets, it will change the game. I think we have the batting and bowling to come out on top, whatever the situation."
McIntosh, who turns 31 next month, reached his second Test century in his 15th Test with a single off Harbhajan Singh.
He became the first Kiwi opener to score a century outside New Zealand in six years, after Stephen Fleming's ton against England in 2004.
McIntosh, who bagged a pair in the drawn first Test in Ahmedabad, overcame a tentative start to play some handsome shots on either side of the wicket.