NZ set up close finish
Southee restricts India before Kiwi batsmen push on
Last Updated: September 3, 2012 12:37pm
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New Zealand gave themselves a chance of levelling the series against India as they closed day three of the second Test 244 runs ahead.
The Black Caps have improved considerably in Bangalore after being hammered by an innings and 115 runs in the first Test in Hyderabad.
At a ground where batting last is historically difficult the Kiwi batsmen ensured their hosts would face a tough target, reaching 232-9 by the end of the day at M. Chinnaswarmy Stadium.
Contributions came from middle-order men James Franklin (41), Ross Taylor (35), Kruger van Wyk (31) and Daniel Flynn (31).
But it will disappoint the tourists that one of the quartet could not go on to what could have been a match-changing score.
Problematic
After taking 12 wickets in the first Test off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin again proved problematic to the batsmen, taking 5-69.
Pragyan Ojha played a supporting role and a tight spell from slow-left-armer saw him end the day with figures of 2-48
India had resumed on the third morning 283-5 with Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni well set, and Kohli duly added the seven runs he needed to reach his hundred.
However once he departed, padding up to Tim Southee for 103, the innings lost all direction, with four wickets all falling to Southee for the addition of only 19 runs.
Ashwin (32no) and Yadav added what could be an important 33 for the last wicket before Yadav was cleaned up by Boult at 353, Southee finishing with an impressive 7-64.
