Mohammed Siraj and Mukesh Kumar shared nine wickets as India A struggled to contain New Zealand A's lower-order resistance on Day 3 of the second unofficial Test in Christchurch on Sunday.
After India A posted 346 in their first innings, New Zealand A responded with 424, securing a 78-run lead. India A reached 32 without loss at stumps, with Yashasvi Jaiswal unbeaten on 20 and Sai Sudharsan on 11. They remain 46 runs behind with one day left, making a draw the likely outcome.
Siraj returned figures of 4/118 from 35 overs, while Mukesh finished with 5/87 in 29 overs. The two pacers accounted for all the wickets taken by India A.
Their performances also provided valuable match practice ahead of India's upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand.
New Zealand A's Lower Order Frustrates India
New Zealand A resumed Day 3 with their innings in a competitive position. Siraj made important breakthroughs by dismissing Matthew Boyle, who scored 110, and Dean Foxcroft, who contributed 93.
India A subsequently reduced the hosts to 291/7, but the lower order extended the innings and increased the first-innings advantage.
Kristian Clarke and Fraser Sheat added 47 runs for the eighth wicket before Mukesh dismissed Clarke. Sheat then combined with Jayden Lennox for another 31-run partnership.
Mukesh eventually removed Sheat and Lennox to complete his five-wicket haul, the 12th of his first-class career.
However, New Zealand A's final pair continued to resist. Jarrod McKay and Lennox added 55 runs in 24.5 overs, batting for more than an hour in the final session and taking the team's total to 424.
Jaiswal and Sudharsan Keep India A Unbeaten
India A had 11 overs to negotiate before stumps and managed to do so without losing a wicket.
Jaiswal and Sudharsan looked composed against the new ball, reducing the deficit to 46 runs by the end of the day.
With the pitch offering limited assistance to bowlers and one day remaining, India A will look to build a lead quickly. However, the time available and the batting-friendly conditions suggest that the second unofficial Test is heading towards a draw.
Official Link: Board of Control for Cricket in India
Conversation
Be kind and stay on topic. Comments are moderated; abuse, spam and personal attacks are removed. Report a problem