Photo via The Hindu

IND-A vs NZ-A Test: New Zealand’s gritty lower-order puts the team in front

India A’s bowlers set a strong foundation in the second ‘Test’ of their series against New Zealand A, with Mohammed Siraj and Mukesh Kumar combining for nine wickets to restrict the hosts to 346 in their first innings. The pair’s efforts—particularly Siraj’s four-wicket haul and Mukesh’s five-for—laid the groundwork, but New Zealand A’s lower-order resilience turned the match on its head.

A late-order partnership of 86 runs between the eighth and ninth wickets propelled the team to a 424-run total, handing them a 78-run lead after India A’s innings ended at 346. Key contributions from Fraser Sheat (40), Jayden Lennox (32), and Jarrod McKay (33) were overshadowed by the explosive 110 from Tom Latham, who had earlier been dismissed for 33, as New Zealand A’s tail transformed the match’s trajectory.

The hosts now hold a commanding position heading into the second innings, with India A’s top order yet to face a challenging chase.

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