Lara Finally Fires

Day two of the third Test between New Zealand and West Indies started with Brian Lara looking comfortable at the crease for the first time in the series, as he raced to his half century early on in the morning and looked in ominous touch.

Daren Ganga (38) didn’t add too many runs to his overnight score though; he was deceived by a clever Shane Bond slower ball, which cleaned up his stumps.

Lara didn’t change his mind set however, continuing to smash the New Zealand bowlers to all parts of McLean Park, much to the delight of the kiwi fans who had come to the ground, no doubt, to see the master at play.

Nathan Astle bowled superbly for New Zealand and managed to snare the prized wicket of Lara, who edged one back on to his stumps for 83 off just 107 balls. It was an unfortunate end to a promising innings.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s dismall tour with the bat continued, he was out run out for two after he and Runako Morton ended up at the same end in a horrible mix up. The third umpire was called upon and ruled that Morton made it home to the non strikers popping crease just before the skipper did.

Morton (70*) made up for his part in the mix-up as he played another good innings, registering his second half century of the Test series just after lunch as he and Dwayne Bravo (22*) pushed the team score up to 256 for 4 before the rain started coming down again mid way through the second session.

No more play was possible on day two.