New Zealand A 130/3 at lunch against India A

Chennai, Sep 29 (IANS) New Zealand A inched their way to 130 for three at lunch in reply to India A's first innings total of 248 on the second day of the four-day cricket match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium here Monday.

The Kiwis, who were given a good start by Aaron Redmond (51), struggled to build on it as they lost three wickets in a hurry before skipper Peter Fulton (26 batting) and James Marshall (20 batting) steadied the innings with an unbroken 41-run stand for the fourth wicket.

Opener Watling was unlucky as Redmond's straight drive hit the non-striker's stumps via bowler Amit Mishra's fingers and he was caught short of the crease.

Soon after, Redmond, on completing his half-century, drove leg-spinner Mishra uppishly to be caught at covers by Yusuf Pathan, and then Greg Hey departed, castled by Mishra who was the pick of the Indian bowlers claiming two wickets.

Fulton, who was dropped by skipper Suresh Raina in the slips off Mohnish Parmar, batted cautiously as did Marshall as the pair set about repairing the damage.