Franklin rips through Windies middle order

WELLINGTON, Mar 17 (Reuters) New Zealand seamer James Franklin ripped through the West Indies middle order to put the touring side in trouble on 160 for seven at tea on the first day of the second test today.

Franklin took four for 38 as West Indies slumped after a bright start before rain forced the umpires to call an early tea at the Basin Reserve.

Runako Morton remained defiant for the tourists on 59 not out with Ian Bradshaw the other unbeaten batsman on 10.

Daren Ganga and Chris Gayle put on 45 for the opening partnership before New Zealand struck back with three wickets for just six runs.

Gayle and Ganga were caught by wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum.

Gayle went for 30 when Franklin found the edge and Ganga fell for 15 in the next over when he flicked Kyle Mills down the legside and McCullum held a diving catch.

World record holder Brian Lara managed just one before he nicked a catch off Franklin to Stephen Fleming at first slip, leaving the visitors in trouble on 49 for three.

Morton and Shivnarine Chanderpaul briefly steadied the innings with a 35-run stand for the fourth wicket until the skipper was trapped lbw by Chris Martin off the last ball before the interval.

Dwayne Bravo (nine) was lbw and Denesh Ramdin (two) bowled in the space of two Franklin overs before Rawl Lewis's breezy knock of 22 ended when he holed out to Fleming for Martin's second wicket.

New Zealand, 1-0 up in the three-match series after winning in Auckland, suffered a blow before the toss when fast bowler Shane Bond withdrew with a mystery virus.

REUTERS PM RK0916