New Zealand Strong Reply After India 318

Kanpur: Skipper Kane Williamson and Tom Latham hit half-centuries to lead New Zealand to 152 for one and frustrate India after a wicketless session to tea in the first Test on Friday.

Rain washes out of the final session of play.

The visitors lost opener Martin Guptill earlier in the day but Williamson and Latham's unbeaten 117-run stand provided a strong reply to India's first innings total of 318.

The left-handed Latham was on 56 with Williamson on 65, with New Zealand trailing the hosts by 166 runs in the first innings on day two.

Williamson survived a scare when a Ravichandran Ashwin ball hit the back of his helmet. The back flaps which provide extra support to the skull fell onto his stumps, but didn't dislodge the bails.

Latham also rode his luck after Ravindra Jadeja got the batsman caught at short leg, but replays showed the ball hitting the helmet grille of fielder Lokesh Rahul.

The decision was referred to the third umpire who gave the batsman not out as according to the rules, external protective gear cannot come into play while taking a catch.

The duo got to their respective fifties soon after, although off-spinner Ashwin and left-arm spinner Jadeja continued to trouble the batsmen.

Brief scores
India - 318 (Vijay 65, Pujara 62, Jadeja 42*, Boult 3-67, Santner 3-94)
New Zealand - 152 for 1 (Williamson 66*, Latham 56*)
Status - New Zealand trail by 166 runs