Mumbai: Sep 28: India A were leading by 242 runs with eight wickets in hand when play was called off on Day 3 of the first four-day match against New Zealand A at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln. Earlier, a well crafted century by Tom Latham and a patient half-century by captain, Reece Young, helped the home team post 234 before declaring their innings.

With a 105-run lead under their belt, the Indian openers came out to bat and before tea. They lost Unmukt Chand early in the innings; the opener was dismissed by Brent Arnel. Abhinav Mukund and Anustup Majumdar then added 46 runs until, Sam Wells broke their partnership. He got rid of Mukund for 41.

At 73 for two, Mandeep Singh joined Majumdar in the middle and the duo batted steadily to take India to 137, until bad light halted play. Majumdar was batting on 52, while Singh was on 29 at stumps.

Earlier, Latham and Young continued from where they had left off yesterday. After adding 69 runs to overnight total of 105, Young was the first New Zealand wicket to fall today. The batsman was trapped lbw by Rahul Sharma for 54 to give India their first breakthrough of the day. However, Latham kept up his hard work and anchored the innings diligently. Wells, who then joined him, chipped in with 18 runs during his 41-ball stay at the crease, before being sent back by Ashok Menaria. Neil Wagner was dismissed by Shami Ahmed soon after.

Latham was the next to walk back to the hut with the hosts on 231. His 207-ball effort was ended for 132 by Rahul Sharma. After the departure of the NZ A opener, Tarun Nethula and Andrew McKay added three runs to the total before the hosts declared their innings at 234 for eight.

Brief scores:

At the end of Day 3: New Zealand 1st innings 234/8 decl. in 78 overs (T Latham 132, R Young 54, S Ahmed 3/56, Rahul Sharma 2/49) India 2nd innings 137/2 in 36 overs (A Mukund 41, A Majumdar 52*, M Singh 29*, B Arnel 1/12)

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*)