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.

New Zealand skipper and left arm spinner Daniel Vettori snared two of the three wickets to fall for 16 runs of his five overs. The other wicket was taken by off-spinner Jeetan Patel.

Earlier, New Zealand resuming from 350 for four, scored a huge 619 for nine declared, thanks to a maiden double century by Jesse Ryder (201), a century by wicketkeeper batsman Brendon McCullum (115) and half centuries by Vettori (55) and fast bowler allrounder James Franklin (52).

At stumps on the second day, the second Test carried an ominously one-sided look on a lifeless track.

This only the third time New Zealand has crossed 600 runs in Tests.

A maiden double-century to Jesse Ryder, followed by a 115-run partnership between Brendon McCullum and Daniel Vettori, helped New Zealand rack up a mammoth score.

Partnerships were again the secret of New Zealand''s accomplishment.

McCullum judged the pace - or complete lack of - of the pitch and played the field superbly. He waited against the three spinners used, playing primarily off the back foot, and his shuffled paddles also got him handy runs. He brought up his half-century with another aggressive cover-drive and continued to cut the ball into the gaps. McCullum negotiated his way easily from there on and the rest was a blur as he raised his century from 131 balls.

Vettori was circumspect, content to defend and nudge the singles, but gradually he opened out too, essaying some deft late-cuts and soft-handed steers for four. The singles and doubles frustrated India and allowed New Zealand to creep toward 600 and beyond. (ANI)