Christchurch, November 1: New Zealand A fought back from 13 for 3 to reach 218 for 3 at stumps on the second day of the second unofficial Test against India A at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on Sunday. Matthew Boyle was unbeaten on 107 and Dean Foxcroft on 80, their unbroken fourth-wicket partnership worth 205 runs, with the hosts still trailing India A's 346 by 128 runs, ESPNcricinfo reported.

Source: ESPNcricinfo

The day had begun in India A's favour. Mohammed Siraj and Mukesh Kumar bowled four maiden overs in a row with the new ball and removed the top three quickly — Rhys Mariu nicked an outswinger from Siraj behind, and Mukesh then had Curtis Heaphy edging to gully before trapping Tim Robinson in front off the next phase of his spell. Mukesh finished the day with 2 for 44 and Siraj with one wicket. The live scorecard carried by Sportskeeda recorded the same stumps position: New Zealand A 218 for 3 in 62 overs, with the Boyle-Foxcroft partnership at 205 runs.

Source: Sportskeeda live scorecard

218 for 3New Zealand A at stumps, day two
205 runsUnbroken Boyle-Foxcroft fourth-wicket stand
107 not outMatthew Boyle, off 148 balls
128 runsNew Zealand A's remaining deficit

After lunch, however, the left-right pair changed the day. Boyle and Foxcroft added 92 runs in a wicketless middle session and kept scoring through an extended final session, frustrating an India A attack that, as ESPNcricinfo noted, carries the combined experience of 82 Tests and 243 wickets between its bowlers. India A's one clear chance came when wicketkeeper Jurel missed a stumping off Washington Sundar with Foxcroft advancing down the pitch, the ball running away for four byes instead. Boyle reached his fourth first-class century in the 53rd over, pulling Siraj for four, and play was called off five minutes early because of bad light, with Foxcroft 20 runs short of a hundred.

Earlier in the day, India A's innings had closed at 346. Jurel, who began on 99, drove the third ball of the morning through cover to complete his eighth first-class century and was eventually dismissed for 105. Akash Deep, the overnight partner, attacked his way to 68 — his highest first-class score — while Devdutt Padikkal had made 80 on the first day. Fraser Sheat was New Zealand A's most successful bowler with 4 for 63.

The match resumes on day three with New Zealand A needing another 128 runs to draw level on first innings. India A's bowlers will first have to break a partnership that has already lasted two full sessions; Boyle will resume on 107 and Foxcroft on 80.