Mandeep and Menaria make merry

India A 433 for 4 (Mandeep 169*, Menaria 164*) v New Zealand A
Scorecard

Punjab batsman Mandeep Singh and Rajasthan's Ashok Menaria made big unbeaten centuries as India A hammered New Zealand A's bowling on the first day of the second unofficial Test in Lincoln. Mandeep and Menaria put on 294 for the fifth wicket as India A scored at nearly five an over to pile on 433 for 4 by stumps after choosing to bat.

Such a dominant day didn't look likely for the visitors early on as both openers, Abhinav Mukund and Unmukt Chand, were dismissed early. Anustup Majumdar scored a quick half-century to lift India A above 100 by lunch, but Northern Districts' right-arm fast bowler Brent Arnel gave New Zealand A the edge as he removed both Majumdar and Suryakumar Yadav in quick succession.

There was no more success for the home side after that, though, as Mandeep and Menaria made light of an attack which had four players who represented New Zealand over the past year. Mandeep, 20, brought up his fourth first-class century off 147 deliveries with a steer to third man, while Menaria, 21, was even quicker, needing only 90 balls to reach his hundred. Both batsmen remained aggressive till the end of the day, with Otago's Sam Wells proving the most expensive of the bowlers, giving away more than a run-a-ball.