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Turnaround New Zealand in control after Sinclair's 204 not out
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) -- A chanceless double century by Mathew Sinclair put New Zealand in control of the second cricket test against Pakistan at Lancaster Park Friday. Sinclair remained unbeaten 204, his second double century in a 12-test career, as New Zealand reached 476 before being bowled out 32 minutes after the tea break on the second day. Pakistan, having spent more than 11 hours on the field and needing 277 runs to avoid following on, lost two wickets in the 22 overs before stumps. Although Faisal Iqbal, 22 not out, and vice-captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, unbeaten on 26, took Pakistan from 25 for two to 65 without any further hiccups. Pakistan could have been in deep trouble had second slip Nathan Astle not dropped Inzamam with the score on 42 off debutante swing bowler Chris Drum. Sinclair, only the second Kiwi to score two test double centuries, held the New Zealand innings together during his eight hours and 40 minute stay. On a wicket producing no pace or spin, Sinclair settled down and batted with increasing confidence and was well supported Friday by Craig McMillan and then Adam Parore. Sinclair's innings was also the highest by a New Zealander against Pakistan and eclipsed Martin Crowe's unbeaten 174 at Wellington in the 1988-89 series. Sinclair said pride and playing for New Zealand motivated his big innings "It was very satisfying and tiring," Sinclair said. "We've shown a lot of gutsiness after what happened in the first test. We're very proud of our achievement. "When I got to the 180s, I was mentally drained," Sinclair added. The 25-year-old has been without a bat sponsor for the last month but said he has been more worried about his batting than his bat. Sinclair said he enjoyed the challenge batting against a world class bowler such as Pakistani spinner Saqlain Mushtaq. "I enjoyed wearing them down. I tried to make them bowl to me and didn't let the pressure build on me," he said. New Zealand resumed the day on 284 for five after being sent into bat. Sinclair, beginning the day on 100, simply carried on from where he left off Thursday and added 45 runs for the sixth wicket with McMillan (20) before McMillan was dismissed. He then combined with Parore (46) in a 101-run seventh wicket stand. It was a remarkable change in fortune for the New Zealand lineup that was hammered Monday by a 299-run margin in the series opener in Auckland, where it lost 10 second innings wickets for 40 runs. Sinclair came at the fall of Mark Richardson's wicket just nine minutes after lunch on the first day and faced 348 balls, stroking two sixes and 27 boundaries. He brought up the double-century in style, lifting offspinner Saqlain, 3-134 in 48 overs, over square leg for six in the company of No. 11 Chris Martin, who was out soon after. Pakistan's innings began disastrously when both openers Imran Farhat (four) and Ijaz Ahmed (11) were removed. Farhat miscued a drive and holed out to mid off in the second over, while Ijaz survived just three balls after being bowled by a Daryl Tuffey no-ball. His dismissal gave Drum a wicket with his first legitimate ball in test cricket after he had delivered a no-ball first up.
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