Key points
- India A were bowled out for 346 in their first innings of the second unofficial Test against New Zealand A.
- New Zealand A reached 291 for seven at lunch on day three, trailing India A by 55 runs.
- Mohammed Siraj took four wickets, including Matthew Boyle for 110, Dean Foxcroft for 93 and Brett Randell for five.
- Mukesh Kumar claimed three wickets, including Mitchell Hay for 31.
- Boyle and Foxcroft had added 205 runs for the fourth wicket after New Zealand A lost three wickets for 13 runs.
- India A captain Dhruv Jurel scored 105, while Akash Deep contributed 68 in the first innings.
Mohammed Siraj and Mukesh Kumar led India's response with the ball as India A fought back against New Zealand A on the third day of the second unofficial Test in Christchurch. At lunch on Monday, November 2, the hosts were 291 for seven, 55 runs behind India A's first-innings total of 346.
Siraj breaks the recovery partnership
New Zealand A had resumed day three at 218 for three after a remarkable recovery on Sunday. Matthew Boyle and Dean Foxcroft had put together an unbeaten 205-run stand for the fourth wicket after the home side slipped to 13 for three early in the innings.
Siraj ended that partnership in the second over of the day when Boyle edged a length delivery. Devdutt Padikkal dived low at slip to complete the catch, sending Boyle back for 110 from 152 balls. The dismissal gave India A the breakthrough they needed after the hosts had rebuilt their innings.
Siraj then removed Foxcroft for 93. The batter was struck on the pads while attempting to work a length delivery on the leg side, and the umpire upheld the lbw appeal. Foxcroft's innings had been central to the recovery, but he departed seven runs short of a century.
Mukesh and Siraj keep the pressure on
Mukesh Kumar added to India's progress by dismissing wicketkeeper-batter Mitchell Hay for 31. Hay edged a delivery outside off and Dhruv Jurel completed the catch behind the stumps. The wicket was Mukesh's third of the innings, joining Siraj as a major contributor to India's attack.
Siraj claimed his fourth wicket just before the lunch interval, bowling Brett Randell for five. Randell attempted to leave a length delivery outside off but missed it, allowing the ball to hit the top of off stump. India A went into the break having taken four wickets during the morning session.
There was also a missed opportunity for India A when Smaran Ravichandran dropped Fraser Sheat at first slip off Akash Deep. Sheat got an edge that travelled to the left of the fielder, but the chance was not held. The let-off came during a session in which India's seamers had otherwise made regular breakthroughs.
Jurel's hundred gives India A the first-innings advantage
India A had posted 346 in their first innings, adding 55 runs to their overnight total of 291 for seven on day two. Captain Dhruv Jurel converted his unbeaten 99 into 105 before being dismissed. He faced 171 deliveries and struck 11 fours and three sixes.
Akash Deep provided valuable lower-order runs with 68 from 116 balls, including 10 fours and two sixes. His contribution helped India A move beyond 300 after the middle order had lost wickets. Mukesh Kumar remained unbeaten on five when the innings ended.
New Zealand A's Fraser Sheat was the most successful bowler in India's first innings, finishing with four for 63 from 24 overs. Brett Randell and Jarrod McKay took two wickets apiece, while Kristian Clarke and Jayden Lennox also picked up wickets.
New Zealand A's recovery and India's response
The 205-run partnership between Boyle and Foxcroft had shifted the momentum after New Zealand A's early collapse. Boyle's attacking century and Foxcroft's patient 93 helped the hosts move from 13 for three to a position where they were within reach of India's total.
India's bowlers changed the picture on the third morning. Siraj's four wickets and Mukesh's three had reduced New Zealand A to 291 for seven by lunch, leaving the side 55 runs short of India's first-innings score with three wickets still in hand.
The match remained in progress at the lunch update carried in the live coverage. The position at that interval gave India A a first-innings advantage, but the remaining New Zealand A wickets and the subsequent second innings would determine how the contest developed.
Frequently asked questions
What was New Zealand A's score at lunch on day three against India A?
New Zealand A were 291 for seven at lunch on day three of the second unofficial Test in Christchurch. India A had made 346 in their first innings, leaving the hosts 55 runs behind at the interval, with three wickets remaining in the innings.
How many wickets did Mohammed Siraj take against New Zealand A?
Mohammed Siraj had taken four wickets by lunch on day three. His victims included Matthew Boyle, who scored 110, Dean Foxcroft, who made 93, and Brett Randell, who was bowled for five, along with an earlier breakthrough in the innings.
How many wickets did Mukesh Kumar take against New Zealand A?
Mukesh Kumar took three wickets by lunch on day three. He removed Curtis Heaphy and Tim Robinson early in the innings, then dismissed Mitchell Hay for 31 as India A continued to make inroads after the long fourth-wicket partnership was broken.
Who scored a century for India A in the second unofficial Test?
India A captain Dhruv Jurel scored 105 in the first innings against New Zealand A. He resumed day two unbeaten on 99 and completed his century before being dismissed. Jurel faced 171 balls and hit 11 fours and three sixes.
Who scored the big partnership for New Zealand A against India A?
Matthew Boyle and Dean Foxcroft added 205 runs for the fourth wicket after New Zealand A had fallen to 13 for three. Boyle made 110 from 152 balls, while Foxcroft scored 93, giving the hosts a substantial recovery before India's bowlers struck again on day three.
What was India's first-innings total against New Zealand A?
India A were bowled out for 346 in their first innings. Dhruv Jurel top-scored with 105, while Akash Deep made 68 from 116 balls. Fraser Sheat was New Zealand A's leading bowler in that innings with four wickets for 63 runs.