Lincoln: Vinay Kumar and Bhubaneshwar Kumar complemented the good work of their batters and helped India ‘A’ consolidate their position against New Zealand ‘A’ in the second day of the second unofficial Test at Bert Sutcliffe Oval today.
Vinay and Bhubaneshwar scalped two wickets apiece to reduce New Zealand to 198-5.
Earlier batting first, India resuming their day at 433-4 rode on some gritty performance by the batters to post a mammoth 554-8. Ashok Maneria and Mandeep Singh punished New Zealand bowlers and stitched a partnership of 318 for the fifth wicket.
Maneria was the first casualty for the day and could get add only nine runs to his overnight score before getting out on 173. The left handed middle order batsman faced 190 deliveries for his innings and hit 21 fours and a couple of sixes.
Mandeep carried on with his good work and was unfortunate to miss out on a well deserved double ton. He fell for 193 off 281 deliveries and his innings was laced with 24 boundaries and a six.
With India’s tail getting exposed it looked as if the Kiwis will wrap up the innings soon but then a blitzy innngs by Vinay lower down the innings saw India cross the 500 runs barrier. Vinay blazed off breezy 50 of 41 balls laced with five fours and three huge sixes.
Brent Arnel was the wrecker-in-chief for New Zealand with figures of 3-94.
Coming out to bat, New Zealand never looked comfortable against the Indian bowling attack and barring Hamish Rutherford none could offer any resistance. Rutherford was unfortunate to get run out on 99.
At the end of day’s play Dean Brownlie was batting on 19.
Brief Score:
New Zealand A 198/5 (Hamish Rutherford 99, Vinay Kumar 2-36)
India A 554/8 dec (Mandeep Singh 193, Ashok Menaria 173, Brent Arnel 3-94)
By Indian Sports News Network