NEW DELHI: New Zealand A fought back strongly after a poor start to reach 218 for three at stumps on the second day of the second unofficial Test against India A on Sunday.Matthew Boyle led the recovery with an unbeaten century, while Dean Foxcroft scored a patient half-century. The two batters added 205 runs for the fourth wicket without being separated, helping New Zealand A stay in the contest.Boyle was unbeaten on 107 off 148 balls, hitting 14 fours and a six. Foxcroft was batting on 80 off 180 deliveries, with nine boundaries. New Zealand A were 128 runs behind India A’s first-innings total, with seven wickets still in hand.
Siraj, Mukesh put New Zealand A under pressure
New Zealand A had a terrible start to their innings and were reduced to 13 for three inside the first eight overs.Mohammed Siraj and Mukesh Kumar picked up the early wickets to put India A in a strong position. Siraj dismissed captain Rhys Mariu for four, with wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel taking the catch.Mukesh then struck twice in quick succession, removing Curtis Heaphy for four and Tim Robinson for three. New Zealand A were in trouble, but Boyle and Foxcroft refused to let the innings fall apart.The pair showed patience and gradually built their partnership. Boyle played the more attacking role and reached his century, while Foxcroft concentrated on holding one end together. They ensured that India A did not take another wicket before the close of play.Mukesh finished with two wickets for 44 runs in 16 overs, while Siraj took one for 49 in his 16 overs. Washington Sundar (14-1-44-0) and Akash Deep (11-2-35-0) went wicket-less.
Jurel completes century as India A make 346
Earlier, India A added 55 runs to their overnight score of 291 for seven before being bowled out for 346.Captain Dhruv Jurel, who was unbeaten on 99 at the end of the first day, completed his century. He scored 105 off 171 balls, hitting 11 fours and three sixes.Akash Deep also made a valuable contribution with the bat. He scored 68 off 116 deliveries, including 10 fours and two sixes, as India A’s lower order helped the team cross the 300-run mark.Jurel and Akash Deep looked to extend India’s strong position, but Brett Randell dismissed the captain for 105 when the score reached 297. This ended an important eighth-wicket partnership.Akash Deep continued to fight before Kristian Clarke sent him back. Mukesh Kumar remained unbeaten on five as India A were bowled out for 346.Fraser Sheat was the best bowler for New Zealand A, taking four wickets for 63 runs in 24 overs. Randell picked up two wickets for 66 runs, while Jarrod McKay also claimed two.
