The second unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A ended in a draw after rain affected proceedings throughout the game. The Indian bowlers started on a high, reducing the Kiwi cricketers to 100 for 4, before Will Young anchored the innings, scoring 123 in 272 deliveries. India's fast bowlers Rajneesh Gurbani, Navdeep Saini and Mohammad Siraj bowled economically and made full use of the overcast conditions. With the weather in Whangarei expected to be cloudy on the days of the Test as well, they can get into the game once again.
The New Zealand bowlers on the other hand looked ineffective in the 46 overs that they bowled to India in the second match. Three of the four Indians made more than 40 runs, with Ravikumar Samarth leading the way with an unbeaten fifty. If rain does stay away, the Indians would want to better the performance and go all-out for a win.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-keeper: K Srikar-Bharat (8 credits)
While Srikar Bharat did not get a chance to bat in the second game, Cam Fletcher was out for a duck, so the choice for the slot is a tricky one. However, I have opted for the Indian player as he has been able to impress more in his short career. While the Kiwi player averages just over 25 in his FC career, the Indian, with five hundreds in 55 matches, has an average of 36.45. He is a safer bet behind the stumps as well.
Batsman: Mayank
The second unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A ended in a draw after rain affected proceedings throughout the game. The Indian bowlers started on a high, reducing the Kiwi cricketers to 100 for 4, before Will Young anchored the innings, scoring 123 in 272 deliveries. India's fast bowlers Rajneesh Gurbani, Navdeep Saini and Mohammad Siraj bowled economically and made full use of the overcast conditions. With the weather in Whangarei expected to be cloudy on the days of the Test as well, they can get into the game once again.
The New Zealand bowlers on the other hand looked ineffective in the 46 overs that they bowled to India in the second match. Three of the four Indians made more than 40 runs, with Ravikumar Samarth leading the way with an unbeaten fifty. If rain does stay away, the Indians would want to better the performance and go all-out for a win.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-keeper: K Srikar-Bharat (8 credits)
While Srikar Bharat did not get a chance to bat in the second game, Cam Fletcher was out for a duck, so the choice for the slot is a tricky one. However, I have opted for the Indian player as he has been able to impress more in his short career. While the Kiwi player averages just over 25 in his FC career, the Indian, with five hundreds in 55 matches, has an average of 36.45. He is a safer bet behind the stumps as well.
Batsman: Mayank Agarwal (10 credits)
The Indian is one of the most promising talents and has the ability to rise to the occasion even in the toughest conditions. After impressing in the tour to England for the A side, Agarwal was called up to the senior team for the series against West Indies. However, he did not get a chance and was back to the A team. In the two games against New Zealand, Agarwal has scored 149 runs, with two 40+ scores and a knock of 65.
All-rounder: Doug Bracewell (9.5 credits)
The player, who played 27 Tests and 16 ODIs for New Zealand, is the A team's most experienced player. Having played 93 FC games, the onus will be on Bracewell to dismiss the in-form Indian batters, who have hardly been troubled in the series thus far. He has scored two hundreds with the bat as well, and scored a fine 48 in the first unofficial Test, which further shows how threatening he can be on his day.
Bowler: Blair Tickner (8.5 credits)
The pacer had troubled the Indian international stars in the first unofficial Test as he scalped the wickets of Murali Vijay, Mayank Agarwal, Parthiv Patel and Krishnappa Gowtham in the first innings. Though he has a bowling average of 42.48 in 32 FC games, Ticker has immense potential and can be lethal if the conditions are in his favour.
Captain: Mayank Agarwal
Vice-captain: Doug Bracewell
