Gwalior: In what would come as music to the ears of swashbucklers like Virender Sehwag, curators at the Captain Roop Singh Stadium have promised a "batting paradise" for the second India-South Africa ODI in Gwalior on Wednesday.

Gautam Gambhir and Suresh Raina failed to capitalise on their half-centuries as both fell in quick succession as India chased Sri Lanka's 246-7 in the first of the five-match series in Dambulla on Wednesday Gambhir and Suresh Raina combined for a 113-run second wicket stand, before Gambhir, struggling with cramps jumped down the track off Muralitharan for 62, only to offer a catch to Kandamby. Raina also completed his half-century, but fell soon after, run out for 54.

The thumb injury to key batsman Brendon McCullum has unsettled the balance of New Zealand team ahead of the second one-dayer against India, skipper Daniel Vettori said on Thursday. "It is not great news. Obviously, the balance that Brendon brings into the squad is undermined by his ability not to keep," Vettori told reporters on the match eve.

Colombo: Sri Lanka were 72 for two soon after lunch in the second Test against New Zealand on Wednesday after winning the toss and choosing to bat first.