The Indians failed to adjust to the conditions made difficult by moisture due to recent rains to struggled against an attack that had no proven name.

After being 20 for five by the 10th over, India recovered through a resolute sixth-wicket stand of 46 runs between Saurav Ganguly (37) and Nayan Mongia (21) which enabled them to cross the 100-run mark.

Medium-pacer Andrew Penn was the local hero taking four wickets for 43 runs. He was well supported by David Blake, who took three wickets for 28 runs.

With conditions improving as the day wore on, the Kiwi side easily overtook the Indian total and were comfortably placed at 121 for one when stumps were drawn for the day.

Scoreboard

India (1st innings): Ajay Jadeja c Furlong b Penn 1, Navjot Sidhu lbw Blake 2,Rahul Dravid lbw Penn 0, Sachin Tendulkar c Spearman b Mason 5, Mohd Azharuddin c Spearman b Blake 2, Saurav Ganguly c Douglas b Penn 37, Nayan Mongia c Sigley b Oram 21, Harbhajan Singh lbw Blake 0, Venkatesh Prasad c Englefield b Mason 14, Debashis Mohanty b Penn 5, Robin Singh (jr) not out 2. Extras (w2, nb8, b2, lb2): 14. Total (all out in 45.5 overs): 103

Fall of wickets:1-4, 2-4, 3-12, 4-14, 5-20, 6-66, 7-67, 8-85, 9-101

Bowling: Penn 16-3-43-4, Blake 15-3-28-3, Mason 10.5-3-21-2, Oram 4-1-7-1

Central Districts (1st innings): Craig Spearman not out 65, Glen Michaels b Mohanty 20, Matthew Sinclair not out 28, Extras (b<\!q>2, nb<\!q>6): 8. Total (for one wicket, in 42 overs): 121

Fall of wickets:

1-61

Bowling: Prasad 13-3-46-0, Mohanty 10-6-16-1, Robin Singh (jr) 5-2-18-0, Ganguly 3-0-17-0, Harbhajan 11-4-22-0