New Zealand A got a slender lead of 75 runs in the third unofficial Test against India A in Whangarei after being dismissed for 398 runs. India A’s K Gowtham picked 6/139 to keep the lead to a minimum.
Cam Fletcher hit a ton, while Doug Bracewell and Kyle Jamieson hit half-centuries to put NZ A in a position of advantage. Starting the day at 121/3, the home-side lost Rachin Ravindra and Tim Seifert early with Rajneesh Gurbani & Gowtham getting the breakthroughs.
Fletcher and Bracewell put on a 92-run stand before Navdeep Saini broke the partnership. However, Jamieson and Fletcher added 100 runs for the 7th wicket, to give NZ A the lead. Ankeet Bawane and Ravikumar Samarth were the two unbeaten batsmen at stumps, with India A reaching 38/1, with Bracewell removing A Easwaran.
The visitors still trail by 37 runs and will be looking to put up a strong show on the final day of the unofficial Test.
Brief Scores:
India A 323 & 38/1 trail New Zealand A 398 (C Fletcher 103, K Gowtham 6/139) by 37 runs with nine wickets remaining