KEY POINTS:
A six-wicket haul from Otago spinner Nathan McCullum allowed New Zealand A to make an impressive start to their four-day cricket match against their Indian counterparts in Chennai overnight.
The industrious McCullum took a career best six for 90 from 30.4 overs at the MA Chidambaram Stadium to limit the hosts to 248 after they opted to bat first.
After Bangladesh-bound test seamer Michael Mason made the initial in road offspinner McCullum eked out the bulk of the Indian top and middle order with pace bowler Trent Boult, making his first class debut, assisting with four catches.
Pace bowler Boult also took one for 42 while Mason (1-23) and change bowler BJ Watling (2-31) were the other wicket takers.
Opener Shikar Dharam top scored with 45 from 66 balls while Yusuf Pathan, the scourge of New Zealand's attack during the one-day Tri-Series with Australia last week, made 44.
Watling and test opener Aaron Redmond then survived the 12 overs before stumps, adding 36 with Redmond dominating. His unbeaten 31 off 41 balls contained a quartet of boundaries and a six.
Watling resumes on a patient two from 32 deliveries.
- NZPA
