All-round India strong on day one

India Emerging Players completed an impressive opening day in the second-round of three-day matches, reducing New Zealand A to 24 for 2 after piling up 404 for 6 declared in Townsville.

New Zealand justified their decision to bowl, as their opening pair Trent Boult and Andy McKay removed India's top three with only 22 on the board. Manoj Tiwary and Saurabh Tiwary steadied the innings with a fluent century stand though. Saurabh fell for 42 to the left-arm spin of Luke Woodcock, following which a 160-run fifth-wicket partnership between Manoj and Manish Pandey put India firmly in control. The runs came in quick time, with both batsmen striking 11 fours apiece and 14 sixes between them. Pandey was out four short of a hundred and when Manoj was caught off McKay for 188, captain Shikhar Dhawan declared allowing his bowlers a 13-over crack at the New Zealand line-up. They did not disappoint, Vinay Kumar and Jaidev Unadkat snagging an opener each.

Five-wicket hauls from Kyle Abbott and Obus Pienaar helped South Africa Emerging Players bowl out Australian Institute of Sport for 224 at Endeavour Park. An unbroken half-century stand between Reeza Hendricks and Temba Bavuma then steered the visitors to 76 for 1 at stumps.

Opening bowler Abbott made early inroads, dismissing Marcus Harris and Tim Armstrong for single digit scores, before Sam Whiteman and Tom Beaton put together a promising stand. Left-armer Pienaar then broke through, dismissing both batsmen and most of the middle-order. The only resistance came from wicketkeeper-captain Ryan Carters - who top scored with 66 - and No. 9 batsman Nathan Brain, who remained unbeaten on 54. South Africa lost Jon-Jon Smuts early, but the solid second-wicket stand ensured they went to stumps in front.