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At Hagley Oval in Christchurch, Day 2 of the second unofficial Test between New Zealand A and India A produced a full swing of momentum. India A, resuming on 291 for 7 with Dhruv Jurel on 99 overnight, added the remaining runs to finish on 346 in their first innings. New Zealand A then batted through the afternoon and evening session to reach 218 for 3 at stumps, still trailing by 128 runs.
Jurel, who had been one run short of a century at the start of the day, converted his overnight score into a composed hundred before being dismissed for 105 off Brett Randell, caught by Rhys Mariu. His knock came off 116 balls and included 10 fours and 2 sixes. Akash Deep, batting down the order, contributed a vital 68 before being dismissed caught by Dean Foxcroft off Kristian Clarke. Mohammed Siraj did not score in the innings. Fraser Sheat was the pick of the New Zealand A bowlers, returning figures of 4 for 63.
Washington Sundar and Manav Suthar also featured in India A's first innings, while Devdutt Padikkal had earlier contributed 80 to give the innings its foundation. The combined effort across the batting card allowed India A to post 346 as their first-innings total.
How did New Zealand A respond to India A's 346?
New Zealand A's reply began with early setbacks. Captain Rhys Mariu was dismissed for 4, and Curtis Heaphy and Tim Robinson also fell cheaply, with Robinson dismissed by Mukesh Kumar before the lunch interval. Mukesh finished the day with figures of 2 for 44 as India A's bowlers made early inroads.
However, Matthew Boyle and Dean Foxcroft steadied the innings with a partnership that grew beyond 200 runs by the close of play. Boyle was unbeaten on 107 and Foxcroft unbeaten on 80 as New Zealand A reached 218 for 3 at stumps. The pair's unbroken stand ensured the hosts remained in the contest despite the early loss of three wickets.
What are the key figures from India A's first innings?
Jurel's 105 was the centrepiece of India A's 346, with his overnight score of 99 converted into a century early on Day 2. Akash Deep's 68 lower down the order proved equally important in pushing the total past 340. Padikkal's 80 earlier in the innings gave India A a solid platform, and the contributions of Sundar and Suthar added further depth to the batting effort.
Fraser Sheat's 4 for 63 was the standout bowling performance for New Zealand A, while Randell claimed the prized wicket of Jurel. India A's total of 346 left New Zealand A needing to bat through the remaining days to avoid a deficit. With Boyle on 107 not out and Foxcroft on 80 not out, the match remains evenly poised heading into Day 3.
