New Zealand A vs India A: Gowtham six-for puts visitor in ascendancy

Ravikumar Samarth (27 not out) and Ankit Bawane (5 not out) went to stumps with India A trailing the host side by 37 runs.

Six first-innings wickets from India A off-spinner Krishnappa Gowtham (6 for 139) had helped to restrict New Zealand A to 398 in its first innings.

India A finished the third day of the rain-affected third unofficial Test in Whangarei at 38/1, still trailing New Zealand A by 37 runs.

Ravikumar Samarth (27 not out) and Ankit Bawane (5 not out) went to stumps after opener Abhimanyu Easwaran was caught by Cam Fletcher off Doug Bracewell for 2.

Earlier, having resumed on its overnight score of 121 for 3, the host side managed to eke out a 75-run lead riding on Fletcher's career-best 103. Fletcher hit seven boundaries and a six during his 221-ball innings.

He was ably guided by Tim Seifert (86), Bracewell (55) and Kyle Jamieson (53), all of whom chipped in with half-centuries.

The duo of Fletcher and Jamieson put up a 100 run stand before Krishnappa Gowtham (6 for 139) cleaned him up for 53. He then got rid of Fletcher, Theo van Woerkom and Lachlan Ferguson to complete a six-wicket haul which helped to restrict New Zealand A to 398.

Brief score:

India A: 323 and 38/1 in 14 overs (R Samarth 27 not out; D Bracewell 1/17)

New Zealand: 398 all out in 131.4 overs ( C Fletcher 103, T Seifert 86; K Gowtham 6/139).