NZ-India Test finely balanced

BANGALORE, India (AP):

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin grabbed his third five-wicket haul of the series as India restricted New Zealand's second innings to 232-9 on the third day of the second Test after conceding a narrow 12-run first-innings lead.

Ashwin ended with 5-69 but New Zealand made steady progress yesterday to lead by 244 runs at stumps with one wicket in hand.

Ashwin, who took six wickets in each innings of the first Test, removed Kane Williamson (13) and Daniel Flynn (31) - both caught by Virender Sehwag at slip.

Ashwin later dismissed Kruger van Wyk (31) and James Franklin (41) before following up with the wicket of Tim Southee (2).

Ashwin was supported by left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha, who accounted for Ross Taylor (35) and Doug Bracewell (22), while pace bowler Umesh Yadav produced two early strikes in successive overs.

Martin Guptill inside-edged a full toss from Yadav on to his stumps on seven while co-opener Brendon McCullum was caught behind off a faint edge for a 21-ball 23 before the slow bowlers took over.

Earlier, pace bowler Southee achieved career-best figures of 7-64 to help bowl out India.

Southee took four of the five wickets that fell quickly Sunday morning, as India folded for 70 runs after resuming at 283-5.

Southee, whose previous best was 5-55 on his debut against England at Napier in 2008, became the first Kiwi bowler to take seven wickets in a Test innings in India.

He dismissed overnight batsmen Virat Kohli (103) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (62) to trigger a collapse that kept his team in the game.

Kohli completed a century after resuming on 93 while Dhoni completed his half-century after starting on 46 before both fell in successive overs.

Kohli cracked 14 fours and one six in his second century in 10 Test matches. He got to the 100 mark with fours off pace bowlers Bracewell and Trent Boult, but was out leg before wicket after shaping up to play an outswinger and being surprised as the ball came back to rap his pads.

Southee also dismissed Dhoni in similar fashion as the ball kept its line rather than moving out. Dhoni struck eight fours and two sixes during his 26th half-century in 69 Tests.