Thaindian News

Chennai, Sep 29 (IANS) India A had their nose in front against New Zealand A with an overall lead of 45 runs at stumps on the second day of the four-day cricket match at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium here Monday.New Zealand, replying to India’s total of 248, lost five wickets for 10 runs and were restricted to 230.

India, who made 248 in their first innings, were 27 for one at close in their second essay when bad light stopped play with 3.3 overs remaining.

The Kiwis were sitting pretty at 179 for three before they collapsed like a pack of cards. Off-spinner Mohnish Parmar (3-57), leg-spinner Amit Mishra (2-61) and fast bowlers Sudeep Tyagi (2-49) and Ashok Dinda (2-44) all played their part.

The dismissal of skipper Peter Fulton (36), who had added 90 runs for the fourth-wicket with James Marshall (51), triggered a collapse. Marshall, Neil Broom (2), Nathan McCullum (0) and Brett Arnel (2) departed in quick succession.

The Indians bowled well enough to keep the Kiwis quiet although Fulton and Marshall hung on grimly with the latter occasionally chancing his arm. The pair survived a few anxious moments to frustrate the Indians.

However, once Fulton fell to off-spinner Parmar while attempting a sweep, the Kiwi resistance evaporated as the Indians made inroads.

The Indian bowlers sent down 14 no-balls, nine by Mishra, while Parmar was far more controlled, especially during his unbroken spell of 14 overs during which he picked up two wickets for 19.

The Kiwis, who were given a bright start by Aaron Redmond (51), struggled to build on it as they lost three wickets in a hurry in the morning session before Fulton and Marshall steadied the innings.

Opener Watling was unlucky as Redmond’s straight drive hit the non-striker’s stumps via bowler Amit Mishra’s fingers and he was caught short of the crease.

Soon after, Redmond, drove leg-spinner Mishra uppishly to be caught at covers by Yusuf Pathan, and then Greg Hey departed, castled by Mishra.

Fulton, who was dropped by skipper Suresh Raina in the slips off Mohnish Parmar, batted cautiously as did Marshall as the pair set about repairing the damage.