India have New Zealand in early trouble

India made the most of ideal bowling conditions to reduce New Zealand to 54-3 at lunch on the opening day of the first Test at Eden Park in Auckland on Thursday. The impressive Ishant Sharma took two for eight off six overs, including the cheap removal of the normally prolific Ross Taylor for three. With India looking to bounce back after their 4-0 drubbing by New Zealand in the one-day series, it was an ideal toss for Mahendra Singh Dhoni to win with heavy cloud cover and a green wicket. After the start of play was delayed by 15 minutes due to the gloom, India wasted no time in moving the ball around to put pressure on New Zealand openers Peter Fulton and Hamish Rutherford. Left-hander Rutherford's attempt to dominate the bowlers was short-lived and when he slashed once too often at Sharma he was well caught low down by Ajinkya Rahane in the gully for six. Fulton had a life on one when he was dropped off the first ball he faced from Zaheer Khan, but his luck ran out on 13 when he was trapped leg before wicket off the first ball of Khan's second spell. Taylor, who posted 495 in five Test innings against the West Indies in December, faced only 15 deliveries before he became Sharma's second victim, driving the ball straight to Ravindra Jadeja at mid-off, leaving New Zealand at 30-3. Not out at lunch were Kane Williamson on 22 and captain Brendon McCullum on five. Source: AFP