New Zealand A vs India A: 1st unofficial Test, Day 2, Review- Rutherford steadies hosts’ ship after mammoth India score

The opening day of the first unofficial Test between New Zealand A and India A n Mount Maunganui went in favour of the visitors and they didn’t get complacent even on the second day. Albeit no Indian batsmen got a century, the pressure was built on the Kiwis. By the end of the day’s play, New Zealand are still trailing by 291 runs with nine wickets remaining in the first innings.

Parthiv and lower order stand tall

After Hanuma Vihari was dismissed at the fag end of the day, Parthiv Patel, the overnight batter, and Vijay Shankar commenced proceedings. Both started clinically, but fast bowler Blair Tickner nipped out Parthiv for 94 runs, disallowing him from accomplishing his century. Nevertheless, Shankar and Krishnappa Gowtham resumed India’s good work with the bat.

The duo put on 89 runs for the seventh wicket and put the visiting team in a position of command. Left-arm spinner Rachin Ravindra got rid of Shankar in the 122nd over to break the partnership. Shankar scored a well-compiled 62 from 96 balls. In the very next over, Gowtham fell prey to Tickner for 47 runs and immediately India opted to declare with the score at 467/8.

Rutherford takes charge  

The hosts had a massive score ahead of them and they needed a resolute show with the bat in order to surpass India’s score. Hamish Rutherford and William Young opened the batting and looked at sheer ease. The Indian bowlers strained hard to get their first wicket. Gowtham gave India their first breakthrough with the wicket of Young in the last ball of the 38th over.

Young scored 49 runs in 104 balls with the help of eight boundaries. Glenn Phillips, who played the T20I  series against Pakistan recently, joined Rutherford in the middle and put his head down to play through the remaining overs of the day. Rutherford looked in no trouble whatsoever and he creamed the Indian bowling to remain not out on 106 from 169 balls with 16 fours and a six.

Brief Scores

India A: 467/8 dec in 122.1 overs; (Parthiv Patel 94, Hanuma Vihari 86; Blair Tickner 4/80, Rachin Ravindra 1/56)

New Zealand A: 176/1 in 51 overs; (Hamish Rutherford 106*, William Young 49; Krishnappa Gowtham 1/33, Vijay Shankar 0/17)

New Zealand trail by 291 runs

Close of Play: Day 2

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