Lincoln, 27 October (H.S.): India A came agonisingly close to victory in the first four-day match against New Zealand A, but Curtis Heaphy’s resolute unbeaten 90 and deteriorating light denied the visitors a final breakthrough. New Zealand A were 187 for nine in their second innings while chasing a target of 313 when play was halted due to poor light, bringing the contest to a draw.

Chasing 313, New Zealand A had slumped to 170 for nine before Heaphy and No. 11 batter Jayden Lennox mounted a determined last-wicket resistance. The pair successfully kept the Indian bowlers at bay for nearly 10 overs. With approximately 17 overs of the day remaining, the umpires called the players off the field because of insufficient light, ending India A’s hopes of securing victory.

Aqib Nabi delivered an impressive spell for India A on the final day, claiming three wickets within eight balls to dismantle New Zealand A’s top order. He bowled Rhys Mariu with the first delivery of his second over and trapped Tim Robinson leg-before-wicket off the final ball of the same over. Nabi struck again in his third over, bowling Matthew Boyle and leaving the hosts in serious trouble.

After losing three wickets for just 13 runs, Heaphy and Dean Foxcroft attempted to stabilise the innings. The pair added 78 runs for the fourth wicket before Foxcroft departed for 42, attempting a pull shot off Mukesh Choudhary. Anshul Kamboj then dismissed Mitchell Hay, who was caught behind, leaving New Zealand A struggling at 110 for five.

Washington Sundar claimed the sixth wicket just before the tea interval, strengthening India A’s position. After the break, captain Dhruv Jurel handed the ball to Devdutt Padikkal, who struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Fraser Sheat and Jack Gibson. Both batters were caught by KL Rahul at first slip.

New Zealand A lost four wickets for just 39 runs, but Heaphy and Lennox resisted until fading light brought the match to an early close.

India A had staged a remarkable comeback after being dismissed for just 113 in their first innings. New Zealand A responded with 317, securing a substantial 204-run lead. However, India A produced a commanding second-innings performance, piling up 516 runs to set the hosts a target of 313.

India A resumed the final day at 488 for eight. Washington Sundar added just one run to his overnight score before being dismissed for 52. Akash Deep then provided an aggressive finish, scoring an unbeaten 25 off 17 balls against both pace and spin as India A closed their second innings at 516.

Padikkal led the recovery with a superb 199, narrowly missing out on a double century. Sai Sudharsan contributed 91, while Raghav Rathore added 66. For New Zealand A, Jack Gibson was the leading wicket-taker in the innings with three dismissals.

In New Zealand A’s first innings, Rhys Mariu scored 76 and Dean Foxcroft made 51. Anshul Kamboj and Aqib Nabi claimed three wickets each for India A, while Nabi continued his impressive performance in the second innings with another three-wicket haul.

Despite India A’s strong comeback and late charge for victory, Heaphy’s determined resistance ensured that New Zealand A survived until the match was abandoned due to poor light.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar