Napier (New Zealand), Mar. 27: India was up against the wall on the second day of second cricket Test against New Zealand at McLean Park here on Friday, trailing the hosts by 540 runs and with only seven wickets in hand.

Replying to New Zealand’s mammoth 619 for nine declared, India was precariously placed at 79 for the loss of three wickets at the close of play. At the crease were batting stalwarts Rahul Dravid on 21 with two boundaries and Sachin Tendulkar, who is yet to open his account.

Cape Town (South Africa), Mar. 26 : The Indian Premier League is set to start with a bang at Newlands, with four games on the first two days of the series.

The final programme will be finalised today, but it has been learned that the series will start at Newlands on 18 April with an opening ceremony and two games.

Provincial cricket bosses were scurrying on Wednesday to make arrangements for the series, which starts in 23 days’ time.

London, Mar. 26 : Mickey Arthur, who has built South Africa into one of the world''s leading cricket sides, has emerged as a surprise candidate to be the next England coach, while Ashley Giles has been told he is not in the frame.

The Telegraph quoted sources as suggesting that Arthur is the external candidate most favoured by the England and Wales Cricket Board to replace Peter Moores before the start of the summer.

Napier (New Zealand), Mar. 26 : New Zealand''s middle order batsmen Ross Taylor and Jesse Ryder put India''s much vaunted pace and spin attack to the sword here on Thursday, the first day of the second Test between the two sides after initial hiccups.

At the draw of stumps, New Zealand were sitting pretty on 351 for four, with Ryder unbeaten on 137 with 17 boundaries and a six and James Franklin on 26 with five boundaries. Taylor had earlier scored a violent 151 with 26 boundaries and a six.

Sydney, Mar 26 : The Indian Premier League (IPL) team, Rajasthan Royals, led by Shane Warne, are in the early running to be nominated for a gong at a Laureus World Sports Awards, which is certain to be dominated by Olympic and soccer teams.

Awards organisers mentioned them on Wednesday in a long list of contenders for nomination in the world team of the year category, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Sydney, Mar. 25 (ANI): Former Australian leg spinner Stuart MacGill has endorsed off-spinner Marcus North as the first-choice spinner against England and said specialist tweaker Bryce McGain was never in contention for the Ashes, even before his horrific debut against South Africa.

MacGill, who took 208 Test wickets for Australia, said he would stick with North given there was enough grunt in the pace attack.