Jaiswal slams second successive ton, sends strong message ahead of NZ Tests

Yashasvi Jaiswal continued his impressive run in red-ball cricket, producing his second successive first-class century to put India A in a strong position against New Zealand A in the third unofficial Test on Saturday. The visitors reached 227 for two at stumps on the opening day after rain brought an early end to proceedings at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval. Jaiswal struck an attacking 102 off 138 deliveries, rediscovering his touch at an important stage ahead of India's two-Test series against New Zealand, which begins on November 19. The left-hander had come under scrutiny following his struggles in the first red-ball game of the tour but has since responded with back-to-back hundreds. Rain interrupted the contest during the 70th over, forcing the players off the field. Despite a greenish tinge on the surface, the Indian batters managed to negotiate the conditions comfortably and kept the scoreboard moving. Sai Sudharsan was unbeaten on 77 from 205 balls, while India A skipper Dhruv Jurel was batting on 12 off 24 deliveries when play was abandoned for the day.

Jaiswal leads India's charge with attacking hundred The opening day belonged to Jaiswal, who took the attack to the New Zealand A bowlers with an array of strokes. He repeatedly found the gaps with his cuts and cover drives while also putting the short deliveries away with authority. He brought up his half-century in style, driving seamer Brett Randell through the covers. Jarrod McKay, meanwhile, bore the brunt of Jaiswal's aggression, with the Indian batter collecting three consecutive boundaries off him on two occasions. McKay also missed an opportunity to dismiss him after Jaiswal was dropped on 54. The left-hander added two sixes to his entertaining innings, including a towering strike over mid-on against Zak Gibson. Jaiswal moved into the nineties with a powerful cut shot off Cameron Paul before reaching three figures in the 44th over. He swept off-spinner Dean Foxcroft to bring up his century but could not stay for much longer.

His innings ended when he guided a full delivery from Ferns straight into the hands of the mid-off fielder. India A lost another wicket in the 63rd over when McKay dismissed Devdutt Padikkal. Looking to play an expansive drive, Padikkal edged the delivery behind to the wicketkeeper. Sudharsan continued to hold firm at the other end, combining well-placed pulls with crisp drives through the covers before rain halted the day's proceedings.

Bumrah, Jadeja and Prasidh feature in final preparation game The third unofficial Test carries added importance with Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and Prasidh Krishna featuring in the contest as part of their preparations for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand. This is their final India A assignment before the two-Test challenge. The first two unofficial Tests between India A and New Zealand A ended in draws, leaving the ongoing contest as the final opportunity for the players to fine-tune their preparations ahead of the November 19 series opener.