NZ-A lower order lifts hosts to 78-run first-innings lead over India-A in Christchurch

New Zealand-A’s lower order rallied to give the hosts a 78-run first-innings lead over India-A on the penultimate day of the second 'Test' in Christchurch. Mohammed Siraj warmed up for the upcoming two-Test series by taking four wickets in 35 overs for India-A, while Mukesh Kumar finished with five for 87 in 29 overs.

India-A had earlier posted 346 in their first innings. New Zealand-A were reduced to 338 for eight before closing at 424, with the last two wickets contributing 86 runs to the total.

Siraj finished with figures of 4/118 after bowling 35 overs. Mukesh Kumar returned 5/87 from 29 overs. They shared the spoils in New Zealand-A’s first innings.

Rearguard contributions came from Kristian Clarke (41), Fraser Sheat (40), Jayden Lennox (32) and Jarrod McKay (33). Those innings arrived after New Zealand-A had been 291 for seven. Their runs helped the hosts surpass India-A’s 346.

The match scoreboard read India-A 346 and 32/0 in their second innings versus New Zealand-A 424. New Zealand’s innings included Boyle 110 and Foxcroft 93, with Siraj and Mukesh returning figures of 4/118 and 5/87 respectively.