Lincoln, October 27, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Curtis Heaphy and Jayden Lennox frustrated India A’s bid for a remarkable comeback victory as New Zealand A survived a tense final-day finish to secure a draw in the first unofficial Test in Lincoln on Tuesday.
Chasing a target of 313, New Zealand A finished at 187/9, with Heaphy unbeaten on 90 and Lennox providing crucial support at the other end. The pair resisted the Indian attack until fading light forced an early end to play, with 18 overs remaining.
India A had set up the possibility of victory after recovering from a first-innings collapse. Dismissed for 113, they conceded a 204-run lead after New Zealand A posted 317. Devdutt Padikkal then led an impressive second-innings revival with 199, helping India A reach 516 all out. Sai Sudharsan contributed 91, while Yash Rathod and Washington Sundar also supported the recovery.
Resuming at 488/8, India A added valuable runs through Akash Deep, who struck Zak Gibson for three consecutive sixes, before the innings ended and left the hosts with a challenging target.
Auqib Nabi gave India A an immediate advantage by dismissing Rhys Mariu and Tim Robinson in the same over before bowling Matthew Boyle in his next, reducing New Zealand A to 13/3.
Heaphy and Dean Foxcroft steadied the innings with a 78-run partnership before Mukesh Choudhary dismissed Foxcroft. Anshul Kamboj removed Mitchell Hay, while Padikkal claimed his maiden first-class wicket by dismissing Fraser Sheat before also accounting for Gibson. Akash Deep then sent Simon Keene back, leaving New Zealand A one wicket from defeat.
However, Lennox stood firm alongside Heaphy, and the pair survived 57 deliveries to deny India A the final breakthrough.
Brief scores: India A 113 and 516 all out (Devdutt Padikkal 199, Sai Sudharsan 91; Zak Gibson 3/80); New Zealand A 317 and 187/9 (Curtis Heaphy 90 not out; Auqib Nabi 3/28). Match drawn.
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