New Zealand A Takes Command on Day One Against India A

On the opening day of the first unofficial Test, New Zealand A showcased their dominance by bowling out India A for just 113 runs. With Simon Keene's impressive five-wicket haul and a solid start from their openers, New Zealand A ended the day at 135/3, leading by 22 runs. India A struggled against the pace attack, with key players falling early. The match continues with two more Tests scheduled in the coming weeks, promising more exciting cricket ahead.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 24, 2026, 12:45 IST

New Zealand A Takes Charge on Opening Day

In the first unofficial Test at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln, New Zealand A dominated the initial day, dismissing India A for just 113 runs and finishing at 135/3, leading by 22 runs. The Indian team struggled against the New Zealand pace bowlers on a challenging green pitch, with Simon Keene taking five wickets and Zak Gibson contributing three.

New Zealand A's innings began strongly with openers Rhys Mariu and Curtis Heaphy, who put together a solid 132-run partnership for the first wicket. Mariu was the first to be dismissed, falling to Mukesh Choudhary in the 39th over after scoring 76 runs off 117 balls, which included 12 boundaries. Auqib Nabi then took two wickets in consecutive deliveries, dismissing Jayden Lennox and Tim Robinson, leaving the hosts at 132/3. Heaphy ended the day not out on 37, while Matthew Boyle remained on one, as New Zealand A concluded the day at 135/3 after 41 overs.

India A's Batting Struggles

India A faced significant challenges against the New Zealand seamers after being put to bat first. KL Rahul was dismissed for a duck in the third over after facing eight balls. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal managed to add 30 runs for the second wicket before Gibson dismissed Jaiswal, who scored 17. Sai Sudharsan followed suit, bowled by Keene without scoring after 13 deliveries. Captain Dhruv Jurel also fell early, making just one run before being caught by Mariu off Keene's bowling. Padikkal attempted to stabilize the innings with Yash Rathod but was dismissed for 32, which included five boundaries, as Gibson struck again to remove Washington Sundar for a duck, further complicating India A's situation.

Keene's Impressive Five-Wicket Performance

Rathod and Anshul Kamboj tried to rebuild the innings, but Kristian Clarke ended their partnership by dismissing Kamboj for 10 runs. Rathod then counter-attacked, hitting boundaries to push India A past the 100-run mark. Keene concluded the innings by taking the last three wickets, including Auqib Nabi, Akash Deep, and Mukesh Choudhary, achieving a remarkable five-wicket haul. Rathod remained not out on 44, hitting three fours and three sixes, as India A was bowled out for 113 runs. For New Zealand A, Gibson took three wickets, while Clarke and Fraser Sheat each claimed one in support of Keene's outstanding performance.

India A is set to play a total of three four-day unofficial Tests against New Zealand A, with the second match commencing at Hagley Oval on October 31, followed by the third match in Lincoln starting November 7.