Sehwag stands and delivers

Test cricket Round-up: India opener Virender Sehwag employed a simple philosophy of playing his shots whenever possible to strike his highest test score of 195 on the opening day of the third test against Australia in Melbourne yesterday.

"I play my natural game. If the ball is there to hit, I'll hit it, that's it," Sehwag told a news conference after propelling India to 329 for four at the close.

The 25-year-old from Delhi overcame two hits to the helmet from short balls by Brett Lee in the opening hour of play to smash 25 fours and five sixes in 233 balls.

India, who lead the four-test series 1-0, made a fine start after Sehwag shared century stands with Akash Chopra (48) and Rahul Dravid (49).

"After I got hit on the helmet, I had more confidence," Sehwag said after hitting his fifth century in 19 tests. "I was more conscious, my concentration was going well and I was very solid defensively."

Sehwag said India had deliberately shut down their scoring in the opening overs, reaching 24 without loss, before taking a more attacking attitude as the pitch improved.

The stand-and-deliver opener took delight in driving and cutting in the air through the off side, with minimal foot movement.

Dropped by Simon Katich at point on 66, Sehwag was lucky to reach double figures after wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist fumbled a run-out chance in the fifth over.

Sehwag continued to ride his luck and on 189 he smashed part-time spinner Simon Katich over mid-wicket for six, but was out next ball trying to repeat the shot when he was caught on the boundary by Nathan Bracken.

Meanwhile, Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar took three for 14 to reduce New Zealand to 151 for five on the first day of the second test in Wellington.

Only opener Mark Richardson with an unbeaten 53 gave some respectability to the New Zealand innings as Shoaib cut through the middle order on a day when just 14 minutes were played in the morning session because of rain.

Shoaib bowled only 11 overs before pulling up with what he said was a blister.

Brian Lara and Ridley Jacobs resurrected West Indies' first innings with half-centuries before rain halted play on the first day of their second test against South Africa yesterday.

But fast bowler Makhaya Ntini kept the home side on top as West Indies, who were put into bat on a lively pitch, reached 232 for eight with Vasbert Drakes on 40 and Adam Sanford on 13.

Captain Lara (72) and Jacobs (58) added 98 for the sixth wicket after West Indies had slumped to 57 for five at lunch.

Ntini was four for 56 when rain ended play 25 overs early.

South Africa lead the four-match series 1-0 after winning the first test by 189 runs.