India 'A' stay on top in first 'Test'

India ‘A’ were comfortably-placed at 137 for two in their second innings after New Zealand ‘A’ declared their first essay despite being 105 runs behind the visitors on the third and penultimate day of the first unofficial Test here on Friday.

The Kiwis were 234 for eight in reply to the Indians’ 339 all out when they decided to declare after playing out 78 overs.

The hosts managed to get this far riding on opener Tom Latham’s dogged knock of 132, that came off 207 balls and included 14 hits to the boundary.

Latham shared a 122-runs fifth-wicket partnership with his overnight partner Reece Young (54), who faced 135 deliveries and smashed seven fours.

After Young was trapped in front of the wicket by leg-spinner Rahul Sharma, Latham shared a 50-run partnership with Sam Wells (18) and the host team’s innings continued till the time the opener was in the middle.

For India ‘A’, Shami Ahmed (3-56), Rahul (2-49) and R Vinay Kumar (2-65) did the bulk of the wicket-taking job.

India ‘A’s reply was a steady one after the early loss of under-19 skipper Unmukt Chand (8).

The other opener, Abhinav Mukund continued his fine form and struck a 60-ball 41, including six boundaries, before becoming Sam Wells’ only victim of the day.
Brief scores:

India ‘A’: 339 and 137 for two in 36 overs (Anustup Majumdar 52 batting, Abhinav Mukund 41).

New Zealand ‘A’: 234/8 decl in 78 overs (Tom Latham 132, Reece Young 54; Shami Ahmed 3-56, Rahul Sharma 2-49, Vinay Kumar 2-65).