Centuries by Corey Anderson and Anton Devcich helped New Zealand ‘A’ finish the first day of the second ‘Test’ against India ‘A’ at 300 for eight here on Monday.
Anderson (100, 126b, 16x4, 2x6) and Devcich (115, 185b, 15x4) revived the team from 43 for four after the visitors had opted to bat at the ACA-VDCA stadium. Dhawal Kulkarni pegged them back early by taking two wickets, while Imtiaz Ahmed and Shrikant Wagh picked up a wicket each.
Luke Ronchi, who scored a century in the first ‘Test’, was out for a duck, caught by C.M. Gautam off Imtiaz Ahmed.
Anderson and Devcich put on 165 runs for the fifth wicket as New Zealand crossed the 200-run mark just before tea. Devcich added 52 for the seventh wicket with Todd Astle before Jalaj Saxena removed the former; he was held by Vijay Zol as the batsman tried to clear the cover fence.
Doug Bracewell (12) and Ish Sodhi (14) were at the crease when the day’s play was called off due to bad light with one over remaining.
Severe on spinners
Anderson and Devcich were more severe on the spinners, particularly Rakesh Dhruv, who was also unlucky to see Devcich get two reprieves off his bowling — once when the batman was on 44 (Unmukt dropped him at slip) and then on 52 (Gautam missed a stumping).
Devcich was lucky again; when on 75, Abhishek Nayar could not hold on to a difficult catch in the covers off Jalaj Saxena.
Dhruv had the satisfaction of removing Anderson who chased a wide ball and was caught behind.
The scores: New Zealand ‘A’ 300 for eight in 89 overs (Anton Devcich 115, Corey Anderson 100) vs India ‘A’.
