NZ A batsmen come with a better show

New Zealand A batsmen gave a much better account of themselves in the second innings, reaching 104 for one at stumps, on the third day of the second ‘unofficial’ Test, after India finished their first essay at 447.

At the end of Monday’s play, opener Jeet Raval was batting on 41 while skipper Henry Nicholls was undefeated on 55 with the duo having added 85 runs so far for the second wicket when bad light stopped play.

New Zealand still need 133 runs to avoid innings defeat with a day’s play left.

The only wicket of the New Zealand innings was picked by left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem (1/26 in 13 overs). The Kiwis had earlier scored 211 in their first innings.

Earlier, India added another 87 runs to their overnight score of 360 for 4 with Ankit Bawne remaining unbeaten on 162 off 245 balls with the help of 21 boundaries and five sixes.

Parthiv Patel made 65 and was the first to be dismissed on the day by medium pacer Seth Rance. Bawne-Patel duo added 166 runs for the fifth wicket.

When you keep coming back (to India), there are no excuses. You should know the conditions as a senior player. However, when you go out it is a different ball game.

DAVID WARNER, On the flop show

Brief Scores: New Zealand: 211 and 104-1 (H Nicholls 55 no, J Raval 41 no, S Nadeem 1/26) vs India A 447 (A Bawne 162 no, S Iyer 82, P Patel 65; I Sodhi 3120)