KEY POINTS:
New Zealand A are 41-1 in their second innings at stumps on the third day of the opening game of a two-match series against India A at Chennai, India, chasing another 314 runs to win.
Resuming on 27-1 overnight, India scored 336 in their second innings as skipper Suresh Raina notched a scintillating ton which helped set New Zealand a target of 355.
Raina smashed 146 off 130 balls with 10 fours and eight sixes before New Zealand regrouped to trigger a lower-order collapse.
In reply, New Zealand lost BJ Watling early and ended the day on a cautious note at 41 for 1.
Raina's partnership with M Vijay gave India the initiative as New Zealand failed to get early breakthroughs. The pair added 83 in just under 15 overs before Vijay fell for 57, caught by Peter Fulton off Aaron Redmond's legbreaks.
Redmond was the most expensive of the New Zealand bowlers leaking more than seven an over in his 12-over spell as India attacked.
Raina's dismissal, caught by James Marshall off Nathan McCullum, put the brakes on India's progress.
Seamer Brent Arnel plugged away at the wickets as India lost their last five wickets for just 18 runs.
Arnel was on a hat-trick in the 83rd over of the innings. With the first two deliveries, he got rid of Amit Mishra and Mohnish Parmar and nabbed his third victim, Ashok Dinda, off the last ball of that over.
Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha resisted with 39 before being bowled by Arnel, bringing the innings to a close at 336.
Redmond and Watling added 22 before Parmar trapped Watling for six in the 11th over.
The final day of the four-day match resumes tonight (NZtime).
- NZPA
