subject: McCullum Twice To Ensure A Hundred Pulls Kiwi [print this page] McCullum Twice To Ensure A Hundred Pulls Kiwi
Brendon McCullum stroked his first double-century script of India hopes to force a win against New Zealand, the last day of the second test Tuesday.
India made 68 without loss at the close after the visitors declared their second innings to 448 for eight in tea, setting the hosts an unlikely target of 327 runs to win in the last session of the day. Virender Sehwag hit an unbeaten again, a ball-54, studded with six boundaries and six, raising his half-century of the match. Partners openers Gautam Gambhir failed to keep a total of 14.
McCullum (225) frustrated the Indian spinners with his fast footwork and clever reverse sweep. He retired in 148 by replacing Cheteshwar Pujari gardener on the short arm of Harbhajan Singh bowling.The elegant right-hander reached the coveted mark with a paddle ball one hundred double-leg out of bounds either part-time spinner Suresh Raina .
"It was very important for us to bat a little time and score some runs, otherwise we risk losing the test," McCullum said man of the match Neo Cricket Channel. "So far it has been very enjoyable and a different challenge. When you're a strokemaker you always want to find the right rhythm. Sometimes, you're guilty of being more aggressive. "Resuming on 237 for four.
McCullum added and Kane Williamson (69) 124 runs for the fifth wicket before this was released, assigned to the leg before Harbhajan. McCullum perished trying touching paceman Shanthakumaran Sreesanth (3-121) for the limit of the third year running slower sealskin ball to Raina catch.
Williamson take a well judged, playing only his second Test, was impressive against the spinners, which did not secrete any significant bites on the fifth day field to Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. "Young Kane (Williamson) was excellent in both samples, and has already proven to be a valuable part of our team"McCullum said of the 20-year old.
Zaheer Khan India pacem was ruled out of the third and final round to be played in Nagpur from November 20 due to an abdominal injury suffered on Sunday 24 injury.Khan and could bowl only three overs in the past in the morning before walking off the court, seriously dent the Indian attack with the new arm seamer Unadkat ball.Left Jaidev, 19, was named to replace Khan for the test in Nagpur. Young people still to make his international debut.The three-game series is tied at 0-0 after the first two tests.
