KANPUR: Tom Latham and Kane Williamson steadied the New Zealand reply after losing an early wicket as the visitors reached 71 for one at lunch against India in the first Test in Kanpur on Friday.
India’s Umesh Yadav trapped opener Martin Guptill lbw for 21 after the hosts, who are playing their 500th Test, were bowled out for 318 in the first hour of play on day two.
Latham on 25 and captain Williamson on 21 were at the crease with the visitors still trailing India by 247 runs in the first innings.
Guptill started with positive intent as he struck three boundaries in his 31-ball stay before being undone by Yadav’s pacy, in-swinging delivery.
Latham was batting cautiously along with Williamson as India’s spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin bowled in tandem.
Earlier overnight batsman Jadeja played a useful 42-run cameo for the hosts, who started the day on 291 for nine.
Jadeja struck seven fours and a six during his unbeaten knock as he entertained a raucous home crowd at Kanpur’s Green Park.
Medium-pacer Neil Wagner got Yadav caught behind for nine to end up with two wickets in the innings. Mitchell Santner and Trent Boult claimed three apiece.--AFP