Jaiswal hits 102 as India A reach 227-2 at stumps in third unofficial Test in Lincoln
Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 102 off 138 as India A reached 227 for two at stumps on day one of the third unofficial Test against New Zealand A at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln, New Zealand on Saturday; play was called off after rain in the 70th over.
The hundred was Jaiswal’s second consecutive first-class century and came after concerns over his form following the first red-ball game of the tour, a return to form the report described as regaining his sublime touch ahead of the two Test series beginning on November 19. The surface carried a greenish tinge but the Indian batsmen enjoyed periods at the crease.
Jaiswal batted with intent, using an array of cut shots, pulls and cover drives while attacking the New Zealand A seamers. He reached his fifty with a textbook cover drive off seamer Brett Randell and was particularly severe on Jarrod Mckay, striking him for three consecutive boundaries on two separate occasions; a dropped catch on 54 increased the scoring opportunity.
The left-hander also cleared the ropes twice, including a large six over mid-on off Zak Gibson. He moved into the 90s with a rasping cut off Cameron Paul and brought up his century with a sweep in the 44th over, which was bowled by off-spinner Dean Foxcroft.
Jaiswal’s innings ended shortly after the hundred when he guided a full delivery into the hands of the mid-off fielder off Ferns. Earlier in the day Jarrod Mckay had removed Devdutt Padikkal in the 63rd over after Padikkal attempted an expansive drive and was caught behind.
At stumps Sai Sudharsan was unbeaten on 77 off 205 deliveries and captain Dhruv Jurel was 12 off 24, both at the crease when play was abandoned. Sudharsan’s knock featured a number of well-timed pull shots and crisp cover drives before rain halted proceedings.
The match carried added significance with Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and Prasidh Krishna featuring in what the report called the final India A game as part of their preparation for the Test series; the first two games of the tour had ended in draws.
