Pacer Mohammed Siraj warmed up for the upcoming two-Test series with four wickets in 35 overs for India-A, but New Zealand-A’s lower-order showed a lot of grit to earn a 78-run first innings lead on the penultimate day of the second ‘Test’ in Christchurch.

Replying to India-A’s first innings score of 346, New Zealand-A, which was reduced to 338 for eight, finished its first innings at 424. The last two wickets added 86 runs to provide the hosts a handy lead.

Siraj and Mukesh star

Speedster Siraj took four for 118 while seamer Mukesh Kumar grabbed five for 87 in 29 overs to share the spoils.

Kristian Clarke (41), Fraser Sheat (40), Jayden Lennox (32) and Jarrod McKay (33) played their part as New Zealand-A got the lead after being reduced to 291 for seven.

The scores: India-A 346 & 32/0 vs New Zealand-A 424 (Boyle 110, Foxcroft 93, Siraj 4/118, Mukesh 5/87).