Mukesh Kumar Takes Five as NZ A Reach 424 in Christchurch

Christchurch: Mukesh Kumar starred with the ball as New Zealand A were dismissed for 424 on day three of the second unofficial Test against India A at Hagley Oval.

New Zealand A finished with a lead of 78 runs after the first innings. India A had earlier been bowled out for 346.

The hosts struggled early, losing Rais Mariu for 4 and Curtis Heaphy for 4, both to Mukesh Kumar. Tim Robinson made just 3 runs.

Matthew Boyle and Dean Foxcroft then rescued the innings with a valuable 208-run partnership for the fourth wicket, which came off 331 balls.

Foxcroft was out for 93 after facing 226 balls. Boyle reached his century and finished with 110 off 152 balls, including 14 fours and a six.

Mitch Hay returned to the pavilion after scoring 31. Christian Clarke scored 41 off 68 balls.

After the seventh wicket fell at 291, Fraser Sheat and Clarke added 47 runs for the eighth wicket. Sheat then put on 31 runs for the ninth wicket with Jayden Lennox.

The ninth wicket fell at 369. Jerrod McKay and Lennox added 55 runs for the tenth wicket over 24.5 overs, facing 149 balls.

McKay scored 33 runs off 75 balls, while Lennox was not out on 32 off 97 balls.

Mukesh Kumar took 5 wickets for India A, Mohammed Siraj claimed 4, and Washington Sundar took one wicket.