Dhruv Jurel century but New Zealand A recover to 218 for three at stumps

In Christchurch on Sunday, Dhruv Jurel scored a century for India A in the second unofficial Test against New Zealand A, yet the hosts fought back to finish Day 2 at 218 for three.

India A posted 346 in their first innings. Jurel, who had been unbeaten on 99 at the close of Day 1, completed his hundred on Day 2 before falling for 105; he faced 171 deliveries and struck 11 boundaries and three sixes. Akash Deep added useful runs, finishing 68 off 116 balls with 10 fours and two sixes, and Mukesh Kumar was unbeaten on five when India A were bowled out.

New Zealand A’s reply began poorly, reduced to 13 for three inside the first eight overs after Mohammed Siraj removed captain Rhys Mariu for four—with Jurel completing the catch behind the stumps—and Mukesh Kumar dismissed Curtis Heaphy and Tim Robinson for four and three respectively.

Matthew Boyle and Dean Foxcroft then put on an unbeaten 205-run partnership for the fourth wicket to rebuild the innings. Boyle finished 107 not out off 148 deliveries, hitting 14 fours and a six, while Foxcroft was 80 not out off 180 balls with nine boundaries.

Among the India A bowlers, Fraser Sheat finished with figures of four for 63 from 24 overs for New Zealand A. Brett Randell and Jarrod McKay took two wickets apiece in the innings for the hosts.

Mukesh Kumar ended as India A’s most successful bowler with two for 44 from 16 overs; Mohammed Siraj had one for 49, and Washington Sundar and Akash Deep went wicketless.

At stumps New Zealand A were 218 for three, trailing India A by 128 runs with seven wickets remaining, and Boyle and Foxcroft’s unbeaten stand ensured the visitors would not take their first-innings advantage into the third day without a fight.