Christchurch: Dhruv Jurel marked his return to run-scoring with a combative unbeaten 99 that helped arrest an India A collapse against New Zealand A on the opening day of the second unofficial Test at Hagley Oval on Saturday, ESPNcricinfo reported. India A closed day one on 291 for 7 in 88 overs after New Zealand A chose to field.

Source: ESPNcricinfo

After scores of 1 and 2 in last week's first unofficial Test, Jurel faced a crisis as India A lost 3 for 6 in the space of six deliveries in the afternoon session and slipped to 160 for 6. He strung together a 62-run seventh-wicket stand with Manav Suthar and then an unbeaten 69-run partnership with Akash Deep, reaching the 90s in the 79th over before playing out the remaining overs to stumps, ESPNcricinfo reported.

Source: ESPNcricinfo

Devdutt Padikkal, fresh off 199 in the first game, made 80 off 140 balls and Sai Sudharsan contributed 41 off 63 balls, after Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed lbw by Fraser Sheat for a four-ball duck in the very first over, CricTracker reported. Sheat finished the day with 4 for 50.

Source: CricTracker

291/7 (88 ov)India A, stumps day 1
99*Jurel (155 balls, 11x4, 3x6)
80Padikkal (140 balls)
4-50Fraser Sheat, New Zealand A

Jurel's unbeaten 99 came off 155 balls with 11 fours and three sixes, while Akash Deep remained not out on 25 off 58 balls at the close, according to the CricketAddictor scorecard. Play resumes on day two with Jurel one run short of a century.

Source: CricketAddictor

The three-match unofficial Test series runs from October 24 to November 10, and the senior India Test series against New Zealand is scheduled to begin at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on November 19, CricTracker noted.

Source: CricTracker