Middle-order batsmen Corey Anderson and Anton Devcich staged a spirited fightback after early jitters as New Zealand A ended their first day’s play at 300/8 against India A in the second four-day Test match.
Left proved to be right for the Kiwis as the two left-handers Anderson (100) and Devcich (115) added 165 runs for the fifth wicket after India A bowlers had reduced New Zealand A to 43/4 by the 18th over. While Anderson smashed 16 fours and two sixes off left-arm spinner Rakesh Dhurv during his 126-ball knock, Devicich was stodgy facing 185 deliveries hitting 15 boundaries in the process.
Mumbai seamer Dhawal Kulkarni (2/26) and off-spinner Jalaj Saxena (2/69) were the most successful bowlers while left-arm seamer Shrikant Wagh, UP pacer Imtiaz Ahmed and Dhurv also got a wicket apiece. India A began well as Kulkarni quickly sent back senior team opener Neil Broom (0), who edged an outswinger from the Mumbaikar into the gloves of CM Gautham.