2nd Test: New Zealand lose six wickets before lunch against Australia
HOBART: Australia cashed in on a bowler-friendly Bellerive greentop to have New Zealand in big strife at 83/6 at lunch on the opening day of the second Test on Friday.
Skipper Michael Clarke won the toss and sent the Black Caps in to bat on a receptive pitch, and was richly rewarded. Dean Brownlie was unbeaten on 20 with Doug Bracewell on five.
James Pattinson, the man-of-the-match in Australia's nine-wicket win over the Kiwis at the Gabba last weekend, had 3/39 with Peter Siddle claiming 2/12.
The Kiwis woes were compounded with the loss of experienced all-rounder Daniel Vettori with a hamstring injury on the morning of the Test and replaced by newcomer Trent Boult.
New Zealand were always going to face a difficult first use of the pitch and so it turned out, losing three wickets in the first hour and another three in the hour before lunch.
Martin Guptill survived just three balls before he edged Siddle to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin for three in the day's second over. Newspaper:Times Of India,9th Dec