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Opener McIntosh gives New Zealand solid start

Opener Tim McIntosh scored his second test hundred to build a solid platform for New Zealand in their first innings on the opening day of the second test against India on Friday.

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At the close, the visitors had reached 258 for four with Jesse Ryder (22) and Gareth Hopkins (0) at the crease.

Left-hander McIntosh (102), under tremendous pressure after his golden duck in the first test, batted with a lot of composure and determination.

He became the first New Zealand opener in six years to score a century away from home and hit 10 boundaries and a six during his 254-ball knock.

McIntosh put on 147 runs with Martin Guptill (85) for the second wicket and 55 runs for the third with Ross Taylor (24) before he dragged left-hand paceman Zaheer Khan on to his stumps in the penultimate over of the day.

Guptill fell leg before to left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha after a shaky start, during which he survived a caught behind off a no-ball and a dropped catch.

The right-handed batsman, who replaced BJ Watling from the first test, used his feet well against the spinners as he grew in confidence and hit nine boundaries and a six.

Taylor edged Khan to India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni behind the stumps after a confident start.

Shanthakumaran Sreesanth removed Brendon McCullum (4) early after New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori won the toss and opted to bat at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

McCullum was squared up by an outswinger from Sreesanth and edged an easy catch to wicketkeeper Dhoni.

The right-arm pace bowler also had Guptill edge to Dhoni with one that swung late but umpire Kumar Dharmasena ruled it as a no-ball after consulting with the third umpire.

Guptill was fortunate again when Dhoni floored a sharp chance on 11 off Harbhajan Singh’s bowling.