BANGALORE, INDIA: New Zealand fast medium bowler Richard Hadlee took sole possession of test cricket’s wicket taking record with two early strikes against India on Saturday.

But after his early successes to draw clear ‘of England all around fan Bothan, who had shared the record of 373 victims with Hadlee. The opening day of the first test was dominated by Nayjot Sidhu and his captain Dilip Vengsarkar,

‘The Indian third-wicket pair had put on 174 by tea when the score was 184 for two; Sidhu was 92 not out and Vengsarkar who ‘won the toss, 73 not out.

Hadlee, 37, took his 374th test wicket with his 14th ball when he had Arun Lal caught at slip. He then bowled Krishna Srikkanth with an off cutter to make the score 10 for two.

But Hadiees replacement by the spinners allowed 25 year old Sidhu to take charge in only his third test,

In one eventful over against spinner Evan Grey, Sidhu hit three sixes, was dropped by Chris Kuggeletjn at Long on and was dropped a second time at extra cover by Skipper John Wright.

He has so far hit nine fours and four sixes, Vengsarkar played a more subdued innings at the other end.

Score: India 184 for two (N.S, Sidhu 92 not out, D.B, Vengsarkar 73 not out),

India recovered from losing three quick wickets to Richard Hadlee in the morning session to reach 378 for eight at tea on the second day of the first test against New Zealand on Sunday.

Ravi Shastri and Kiran more batted for 143 minutes through most of the afternoon session, taking advantage of a New Zealand attack which, Hadlee apart, was desperately lacking in penetration.

Their eight-wicket stand of 84 in 34 ‘overs was not broken until just before tea when Chris Kuggeleijn, in his first over the day, trapped more leg before playing across the line for a spirited 46 off 97 balls.

Before lunch New Zealand with Hadiee ‘again their trump card, had fought back dramatically to blast out the Indian middle order,

Wokeri Raman was bowled for three in the second over of the day. Mohammad Azharuddin was caught behind and Dilip Vengsarkar was bowled having added just two to his score of 73 when he retired hurt on Saturday.

This spell of three for six in six overs by Hadlee gave him five wickets in an innings for the 33rd time in his 75 tests.

The 37 year old New Zealander became the most prolific wicket taker in tests on Saturday when he claimed Arun Lal as his 374th victim. Until then he had shared the record with Ian Bothan.

At tea Hadlee had bowled 30 overs for 65 runs.

Article extracted from this publication >> November 18, 1988