Christchurch, 02 November (H.S.): Fast bowler Mukesh Kumar produced an impressive five-wicket performance, while Mohammed Siraj claimed four scalps, but New Zealand A’s lower-order resistance enabled the hosts to post 424 in their first innings and take a 78-run lead over India A on the third day of the second unofficial Test on Monday.

At stumps, India A had reached 32 without losing a wicket in their second innings, with openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan at the crease. India A remained 46 runs behind New Zealand A, with all 10 wickets intact.

Resuming the day at 218 for three, New Zealand A suffered an early setback when overnight centurion Matthew Boyle was dismissed. However, Dean Foxcroft and Mitchell Hay kept the Indian bowlers at bay for more than an hour, frustrating the visitors with a prolonged partnership.

Siraj eventually broke the stand by trapping Foxcroft leg-before-wicket for 93, claiming his second wicket of the day. In the following over, Mitchell Hay was caught behind, while Brett Randell departed shortly afterwards.

The quick succession of wickets brought India A back into the contest, reducing New Zealand A to 291 for seven. However, the hosts' lower order mounted a spirited fightback, denying the visitors an opportunity to wrap up the innings quickly.

New Zealand A added 133 runs for their final three wickets to take their total to 424. Fraser Sheat contributed an aggressive 40, striking five boundaries and a six. Lower-order batters Jayden Lennox and Jarrod McKay also showed considerable resilience, keeping the Indian attack at bay for nearly 25 overs.

India A had an opportunity to break the stubborn partnership early, but Siraj dropped a relatively straightforward catch offered by Lennox, who was batting on 12 at the time.

The Indian spinners, too, had to wait patiently for a breakthrough after bowling for 45 overs. Washington Sundar eventually brought the innings to a close by bowling McKay in the 30th over of his spell.

India A then began their second innings with Jaiswal and Sudharsan negotiating the remaining overs without trouble. The opening pair guided the visitors to 32 without loss by the close of play, leaving them 46 runs short of wiping out New Zealand A's first-innings advantage.

Brief Scores: India A: 346 (Dhruv Jurel 106, Devdutt Padikkal 80, Akash Deep 68; Fraser Sheat 4/63) and 32 without loss in the second innings. New Zealand A: 424 (Matthew Boyle 110, Dean Foxcroft 93; Mukesh Kumar 5/87, Mohammed Siraj 4/118). New Zealand A lead by 78 runs on the first innings.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar