The first Four-Day match between New Zealand A and India A at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln has ended in a dramatic draw.
India was just two wickets away from victory when play was called off due to bad light, while New Zealand was 41 runs short of their target.
India climbed to 208 for four in their second innings, to set an overall target of 314 for New Zealand. They declared just over an hour into the day to allow a maximum of 82 overs for a result to be found.
The home side lost first innings centurion Tom Latham early in their pursuit when he was caught on 14. However George Worker and Neil Broom recovered well for their side, putting on a commanding 149 run stand for the second wicket.
Both players brought up their half-centuries and looked to be leading New Zealand to victory by sensibly knocking ones and twos around the ground.
In the 42nd over, with New Zealand in complete control at 169 for one, India made the break through. Broom was caught at point off the bowling of Jaydev Unadkat for 72.
Dean Brownlie took over and got things back on track to see New Zealand pass the 200 mark in the 48th over.
Just 11 runs away from his century George Worker was dismissed when he was clean bowled by Vinay Kumar. Brownlie went just two runs later and New Zealand had slumped to 202 for four.
Sam Wells played with some intent during his 32 from 31 balls, before he was dismissed late on and all of a sudden India too was in with a chance. Shadows were beginning to creep on to the pitch, as both Wagner and Nethula fell cheaply too.
New Zealand had gone from favourites to fighting for survival. In the end an unbeaten 26 from Luke Woodcock saw out the end of the innings and both teams had to settle for a draw. Bad light saw the match finish 62 overs into the innings.
Kumar led the Indian fight-back with three wickets in his 17 overs for 47.
The second Four-day match begins on Wednesday.
Latham shines for New Zealand A
India A will head into the final day with a 242 run lead over New Zealand A in the first Four-Day match at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln.
Following a superb century from local star Tom Latham, New Zealand declared still 105 runs behind India A’s first innings total of 339, as they attempt to force a result from the game.
The visitors added another 137 before days end, losing two wickets along the way.
Captain Abhinav Mukund once again looked impressive early on with 41 off 60 deliveries. His dismissal by Sam Wells didn’t make things any easier for New Zealand, as Anustup Majumdar and Mandeep Singh put on an unbeaten 64 run stand for the third wicket.
Shadows on the pitch were once again a problem late in the day, with the players forced from the field 36 overs into India’s second innings. A declaration is expected tomorrow morning, as India will likely endeavour to bowl New Zealand out in whatever limited time they have left.
Earlier in the day New Zealand had continued to resurrect their innings, with Tom Latham and Reece Young resuming at 105 for four.
The pair continued to prosper, with Young bringing up his 50 off 126 balls. He was adjudged out leg-before-wicket not long after, ending a fifth wicket partnership worth 122.
Latham though remained at the crease and was rarely made to look uncomfortable as he dispatched the Indian bowling attack all around the ground. After 266 minutes in the middle the 20 year-old brought up a well-deserved century off 148 balls.
His exceptional innings finally came to an end on 132, when he was caught at mid-off off the bowling of Rahul Sharma. He had almost single-handedly led New Zealand back into the game, who declared soon after his dismissal at 234 for eight.
Shami Ahmed did the most damage with the ball for India, picking up three wickets in his 18 overs for 56.
Play will begin tomorrow at 10:00am.
India A take control
New Zealand A trail India A’s first innings total by 234 runs at the end of day two of the first Four-Day match at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln.
Having resumed play at 136 for four, India produced a fifth wicket partnership of 105 and reached an overall total of 339 all out. In reply, the home side recovered from four early wickets to end the day at 105 for four.
New Zealand’s response was shaky from the outset, with George Worker trapped leg-before-wicket by Vinay Kumar off the first ball of the innings.
Opener Tom Latham was joined by Neil Broom at the crease, as the pair went about building a meaningful partnership. Just as they were beginning to look settled, Broom’s defence was breached when Shami Ahmed bowled him for 14.
Matters got worse when Dean Brownlie (1) and Luke Woodcock (2) were dismissed not long after, leaving New Zealand struggling at 52 for four.
An unbeaten stand of 51 for the fifth wicket between Latham and captain Reece Young settled things down somewhat for New Zealand. Latham brought up his half century and will resume tomorrow on 54 not out, while Young will look to add to his unbeaten 28.
Bad light once again saw play end early, as shadows forced the teams from the pitch 31.4 overs into the New Zealand innings.
Kumar was used the most for India and finished with figures of two for 42 from 12 overs. Ahmed also picked up two wickets in his 7.4 overs for 29 runs.
Earlier, the New Zealand bowlers had been unable to make the early inroads into the Indian middle order that they would have hoped for.
Ambati Rayudu and Ashok Menaria led their team to 195 for four, before Menaria fell to Wagner for 30. His dismissal brought wicket keeper Naman Ohja to the crease and alongside Rayudu the pair put India in a dominant position.
After 206 minutes in the middle Rayudu brought up the first Indian century of the tour. Having struck 15 fours and a six he was eventually out for 105 when he edged one to Reece Young off the bowling of Andy McKay.
Ohja also did some damage, striking two sixes in his 41 off 59 balls. Rahul Sharma chipped in late with sixteen, before the last Indian wicket fell after 86 overs.
Wagner and McKay bounced back from a tough start to the day to finish with three wickets a piece, while the other four bowlers all grabbed one wicket each.
Play will begin at 10:00am tomorrow to make up for lost overs on day one.
NZ A on top in rain affected day
Day one of the first Four-day match between New Zealand A and India A has been called off due to inclement weather after just 36.4 overs.
Bad light initially brought the match to a halt, before rain settled in and forced the rest of the day’s play to be abandoned at 3:35pm.
India is 136 for four heading into day two, but will be disappointed with their position after a solid start to the innings. Having lost the toss and been sent into bat, they didn’t allow the New Zealand bowling attack to make any early inroads.
Unkmukt Chand got things underway in style with a classy off-drive for four off the first delivery. Chand continued to look solid and formed a valuable partnership with captain Abhinav Mukund.
The pair put on 82 for the opening wicket, before Nethula broke through for New Zealand when he had Mukund trapped leg-before-wicket on 42.
Anustup Majumdar was next in, but went just five runs later when he was bowled by Sam Wells for four.
India were forced to rebuild and looked to be regaining control at 118 for two, before Chand fell for 54. Having just brought up his half century the 19 year-old departed at the start of the 30th over when he was caught by Neil Broom off the bowling of Andy McKay.
With dark clouds looming New Zealand made one more breakthrough by capturing the wicket of Mandeep Singh for 20. That strike by Brent Arnel meant India will resume tomorrow at 136 for four, with Ambati Rayudu on nine and Ashok Menaria still on nought.
The wickets were shared amongst the New Zealand attack, but McKay was used the most and ended with figures of one for 38 from 12 overs.
Days two, three and four are now scheduled to begin at 10:00am in an effort to make up for today’s lost overs.
