Mumbai: Sep 27: A century by Ambati Rayudu propelled India A to a first innings total of 339, while New Zealand A were 105 for four at stumps on Day 2 of the ongoing four-day match at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval today.

Building on his overnight score of nine, Rayudu went on to score 105 (15x4, 1x6) and built two valuable partnerships with Menaria and Naman Ojha to take India A to a respectable total. Menaria, who was yet to open his account when play was called off yesterday, was involved in a 59-run stand for the fifth wicket before, being dismissed for 30 by Neil Wagner. Rayudu then found an able ally in Ojha and the duo took India to 300 with a 105-run stand. But as soon as India reached the triple-century mark, the wicketkeeper departed for 41 (3x4, 2x6) after hitting the ball back to the left-arm spinner, Luke Woodcock.

Wagner and Andrew McKay then claimed the next four wickets to wrap up the Indian innings. Wagner claimed Rahul Sharma and Vinay Kumar, while Mckay picked the key wicket of Rayudu and Jaydev Unadkat.

Vinay Kumar and Shami Ahmed then rattled the NZ top order. Opening the bowling for India, Vinay Kumar dismissed Worker off the very first delivery of the innings, while Ahmed bowled Neil Broom in the 10th over for 14. A few overs later, the pacers struck again. Vinay Kumar claimed Dean Brownlie, while Ahmed picked the wicket of Woodcock to leave the hosts reeling at 52 for four.

However, Tom Latham held up one end and was unbeaten on 54 off 84 balls, and was involved in a 53-run unbroken partnership with Reece Young when bad light halted play. After the fall of four quick wickets, the opener found support in skipper Young. The duo set about the task of rebuilding the NZ innings. When play was called off, Young was batting on 28.

Brief scores:

At the end of Day 2: India A 1st innings 339 all out in 86 overs (A Rayudu 105, N Ojha 41, N Wagner 3/58, A Mckay 3/71); New Zealand A 1st innings 105/4 in 31.4 overs (T Latham 54*, R Young 28*, S Ahmed 2/29, V Kumar 2/42)

At the end of Day 1: India A 1st innings 136/4 in 36.4 overs (U Chand 54, Abhinav Mukund 42, A Rayudu 9*, A Menaria 0*)