Only Anil Kumble could overcome the lack of bounce with variations on a wicket generous to seam and swing bowling, claiming four wickets for 56, even as the home side, led by a workman-like 99 (179b, 14x4) from skipper and Test discard Roger Twose, made the tourists work hard on the outfield.

For India, who decided to rest Sachin Tendulkar, skipper Mohammed Azharuddin, Venkatesh Prasad and Harbhajan Singh, makeshift captain Ajay Jadeja won the toss and chose to field.

Scoreboard

Wellington (1st innings): Phil Chandler c Mongia b Kumble 35, Roger Twose c Laxman b Kumble 99, Jason Wells c Mongia b Kumble 15, Tim Boyer c Dravid b Srinath 54, Chris Nevin b Kumble 9, R Petrie batting 34, James Franklin c Laxman b Joshi 3, Gavin Larsen b Robin Jr 3, M Jeffersonbatting 2; Extras: (b7, lb5, w1, nb6) 19. Total: (for 7 wkts, 90 overs) 273Fall of wickets: 1-74, 2-141, 3-193, 4-207, 5-232, 6-239, 7-259Bowling: Srinath 18-4-71-1, Mohanty 13-3-45-0, Robin Jr 15-6-37-1, Ganguly 7-2-24-0, Kumble 28-7-56-4, Joshi 8-1-27-1, Jadeja 1-0-1-0