Sporting Digest: Cricket

India lost five wickets in the final session to hand Wellington the initiative at stumps on the second day of their four-day match at the Basin Reserve yesterday. In reply to Wellington's first innings of 317, India were 219 for 7 at stumps, with Saurav Ganguly 68 not out and Javagal Srinath unbeaten on seven. Mark Jefferson, the left-arm spinner, was the most successful bowler with three for 83. India's leg-spinner Anil Kumble took the final Wellington wicket to finish with five for 56.

The medium-pace bowler Adam Dale ripped through Victoria's batting with a seven-wicket haul to give Queensland a 148-run first innings lead on the third day of their Sheffield Shield match yesterday. Replying to Queensland's first innings 354 for 9 declared, Victoria were dismissed for 206 on a rain-hit day. Dale finished with seven for 40 off 33.3 overs, his second seven-wicket haul of the season. He took seven for 33 against England in October. Only a late stand between embattled captain Shane Warne (31no) and John Davison (23) saved the home side from following-on after slumping to 153 for nine. Matthew Elliott top-scored for Victoria with 67.