India suffer more batting humiliation at Hamilton It was like watching a highlights package. In the 37 overs and one ball that were managed on the second day, after the first was washed out, India managed to stagger to 92 for eight, bleeding and wounded courtesy a sharp New Zealand attack on a lively pitch. Only two batsmen managed double-digits; VVS Laxman played fluently for 23 and then characteristically chopped one onto his stumps with an airy shot. Harbhajan Singh, also characteristically, slammed the ball around for five boundaries before departing for 20 off just nine balls. The stars for New Zealand were Daryl Tuffey, who picked four for 12 off nine overs, and Shane Bond, with three for 33 off 14 overs. So if any fears persisted that the loss of time would detract from a result in this game, the Indian batting has done its collective best to alleviate them. Of course, if they manage to draw, it will be a laudable achievement that will nevertheless lose them the Test series.

Tuffey: The wicket will get easier to bat on Tall strapping Daryl Tuffey towered over the Indian batsmen on the second day of the Hamilton Test, exposing more technical inadequacies than one could count and scalping Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly as three of his four wickets. "There is some seam and bounce, and some moisture underneath, so it was tough for the batsmen out there," said Tuffey at the end of the day. "It was a good toss to win," he added, with the traditional happy grin of a seamer encountering a fresh wicket. "I don't have searing pace like Shane (Bond), so I just concentrated on using the swing and bowling the right length," he said. "The plan was to keep the ball full and trap the batsmen in the crease, which worked by and large." His partner-in-crime, Bond, did fairly well too, and Tuffey acknowledged Bond's role in the attack. "Shane has been a revelation for New Zealand. At around 140 km/h, he terrorises the batsmen at one end, and that takes the heat off myself and (Jacob) Oram." Familiar with the Hamilton wicket, Tuffey predicted that it would flatten out as the match progressed. "In the last couple of Tests too, the ball moved around initially, but it got better to bat on later," he said. "That is good for us, though! We will be fired up tomorrow; it is crucial for us to get those last two wickets quickly, and we will come out all guns firing." The pride in his performance was unmistakable, and rightly so. "I thought a couple of balls were pretty good," said Tuffey. "I managed to pick up Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar with a couple of beauties, and I will be storing those ones away for a while!"

Oh! for a three-Test series With the first day of the second Test abandoned, there remain four days for India to get back into the series. No matter what happens, there will be genuine frustration among New Zealand cricket-lovers that they have not really been able to enjoy the sight of India's vaunted batting line-up performing to their potential in the series. Indian coach John Wright said it was a pity that the series was not a little longer, not only because it would allow his side a greater chance to come back into the series, but also to allow development of his side, especially the fast-medium attack. Wright also felt there were other benefits from longer series. "They tend to get more interesting as they go on. Players get to know each other, and a longer series gives you a chance to come back," he said.

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