Keene's Five-Wicket Haul Rattles India A; NZ A Take Early Lead
Simon Keene's five-wicket haul rattles India A for 113 as New Zealand A take a 22-run lead on the opening day in Lincoln.
New Zealand A have firmly gripped the opening day of the first unofficial Test, leaving India A reeling after a disastrous batting performance. On a challenging green-top surface at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln, the hosts bundled out the visitors for a meager 113 before ending the day at 135/3, securing a 22-run lead.
India A Crumble Against Pace
After being asked to bat first, India A found themselves in immediate trouble as the New Zealand seamers exploited the conditions. The collapse began early when KL Rahul was dismissed for a duck in just the third over.
While Yashasvi Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal attempted to stabilize the innings with a 30-run partnership for the second wicket, Zak Gibson broke the momentum by removing Jaiswal for 17. The slide continued as Sai Sudharsan departed for a duck, bowled by the lethal Simon Keene.
Captain Dhruv Jurel offered little resistance, falling for just one, caught by Rhys Mariu off the bowling of Keene. Despite Devdutt Padikkal scoring 32 with five boundaries, he eventually fell to Gibson, who then struck again in the very next over to remove Washington Sundar for nothing.
Rathod's Lone Fight
With the top order decimated, Yash Rathod became the sole warrior for India A. He played a spirited knock, counter-attacking the bowlers to push the team's total past 100. Rathod remained unbeaten on 44, a knock highlighted by three fours and three sixes.
However, the rest of the lower order struggled. Anshul Kamboj was dismissed for 10 by Kristian Clarke, and Simon Keene completed a dominant performance by claiming the final three wickets—Auqib Nabi, Akash Deep, and Mukesh Choudhary—to finish with a stunning five-wicket haul.
- India A Total: 113 all out
- Simon Keene: 5 wickets
- Zak Gibson: 3 wickets
- Yash Rathod: 44* (top scorer)
New Zealand A Respond Strongly
The hosts began their reply with an aggressive approach, as openers Rhys Mariu and Curtis Heaphy dismantled the Indian bowling attack. The duo put on a massive 132-run opening stand, putting India A on the back foot immediately.
The breakthrough finally came in the 39th over when Mukesh Choudhary dismissed Mariu for 76, an innings that included 12 boundaries. India A found a sudden burst of hope in the following over as Auqib Nabi struck twice in consecutive deliveries, removing Jayden Lennox and Tim Robinson.
Despite the late wickets, New Zealand A finished the day comfortably at 135/3 after 41 overs. Curtis Heaphy remained unbeaten on 37, supported by Matthew Boyle, who was not out on one.
The Road Ahead
This match is the first of a three-game four-day unofficial Test series. The second encounter is slated to begin at Hagley Oval on October 31, with the final match returning to Lincoln on November 7.