India A vs New Zealand A: Heaphy and Lennox Hold Firm as First Unofficial Test Ends in a Draw
A dramatic final-day finish in Lincoln saw New Zealand A’s last-wicket pair deny India A a remarkable comeback victory in the first unofficial Test. Curtis Heaphy remained unbeaten on 90, while Jayden Lennox helped him survive a tense closing spell as fading light brought play to an end with New Zealand A on 187 for 9.
India A had started the match in deep trouble, dismissed for just 113 in their first innings and conceding a lead of 204. But Devdutt Padikkal’s outstanding 199, supported by half-centuries from Sai Sudharsan, Yash Rathod and Washington Sundar, transformed the contest. India A made 516 in their second innings and set the hosts a challenging target of 313.
For much of the final day, India A looked capable of completing an extraordinary turnaround. Their bowlers reduced New Zealand A to 13 for 3, then kept taking wickets to leave the hosts nine down. Yet Heaphy and Lennox resisted for 57 deliveries, and the remaining 18 overs could not be bowled before the umpires took the players off because of poor light.
Akash Deep’s late hitting adds to India A’s lead
India A resumed the fourth day at 488 for 8, with their second-innings total already giving them a strong position. Akash Deep provided an entertaining flourish, striking Zak Gibson for three consecutive sixes. The burst lifted the visitors beyond the 500-run mark, although India A soon lost their final two wickets.
Padikkal’s innings remained the defining contribution. His 199 gave India A the platform to erase the damage of their first-innings collapse and build a target that put New Zealand A under pressure. Sudharsan’s 91 and useful fifties from Rathod and Sundar ensured the innings was not a one-player effort, giving India A the depth needed to turn the match around.
Once the target was set, the visitors needed early breakthroughs—and Auqib Nabi delivered almost immediately. In the third over, he found the right movement to dismiss Rhys Mariu and Tim Robinson with precise inswingers. Nabi then returned an over later to bowl Matthew Boyle, leaving New Zealand A reeling at 13 for 3.
Heaphy and Foxcroft steady the innings
With the top order gone, Heaphy and Dean Foxcroft had to rebuild under pressure. The pair responded with a composed and positive partnership of 78, combining careful defence with timely scoring. Their stand carried New Zealand A through to the second session and briefly shifted the momentum away from India A.
Rain interrupted the game for 45 minutes shortly after the interval, adding another complication to an already demanding final day. When play resumed, Mukesh Choudhary broke the partnership by using a short-ball plan to dismiss Foxcroft. The wicket was an important one for India A, as Foxcroft had been providing Heaphy with reliable support.
Mitchell Hay tried to counterattack, hitting Anshul Kamboj for two boundaries. But Kamboj removed him a few overs later, extending India A’s advantage. Heaphy continued to bat with conviction, reaching his half-century and keeping New Zealand A’s hopes alive even as wickets fell around him.
Padikkal strikes with the ball as India A close in
India A entered the final session needing four more wickets, and an unexpected source gave them a crucial breakthrough. Padikkal, whose 199 had rescued the visitors with the bat, claimed his maiden first-class wicket when his off-breaks dismissed Fraser Sheat. He then struck again, removing Gibson and adding a memorable all-round contribution to his match.
Akash Deep followed by dismissing Simon Keene, leaving New Zealand A one wicket away from defeat. At that stage, India A appeared close to completing one of the most striking turnarounds of the match: from 113 all out in their first innings to pushing hard for victory after setting a target of 313.
But Heaphy and Lennox refused to give in. The final pair defended with discipline, negotiated the remaining overs and held on as the light deteriorated. With 18 overs still scheduled, the umpires called the players off. The result was a draw, though India A had finished the match with the stronger momentum.
What the result means for both sides
The draw reflected two very different phases of the contest. New Zealand A had dominated the opening innings, making 317 after India A’s 113, with Mariu scoring 76. India A’s response, however, changed the shape of the game. Padikkal’s near-double century and the supporting contributions around him forced New Zealand A to chase a demanding target on a final-day pitch.
For India A, the match offered encouraging signs beyond the result. Their ability to recover from a substantial first-innings deficit showed resilience, while Nabi’s three wickets in the second innings and Kamboj’s control added weight to a balanced bowling effort. The match also provided Padikkal with a rare milestone: a major innings followed by two wickets with his part-time spin.
New Zealand A, meanwhile, can take confidence from Heaphy’s unbeaten 90 and the resistance shown by the lower order. Their first-innings advantage had put them in control, but the final-day fightback demonstrated how quickly a long-format cricket match can turn when a team builds a substantial second-innings total.
Match scorecard
India A: 113 all out (Yash Rathod 44 not out; Simon Keene 5-24, Zak Gibson 3-29) and 516 all out (Devdutt Padikkal 199, Sai Sudharsan 91; Zak Gibson 3-80).
New Zealand A: 317 (Rhys Mariu 76, Dean Foxcroft 51; Anshul Kamboj 3-52, Auqib Nabi 3-69) and 187 for 9 (Curtis Heaphy 90 not out; Auqib Nabi 3-28).
Result: Match drawn.
Any prediction for the next meeting between these teams will depend on whether India A can carry their second-innings batting form forward and whether New Zealand A’s top order can withstand the visitors’ early swing bowling. In Lincoln, the final word belonged to Heaphy and Lennox, whose stubborn stand ensured that India A’s stunning recovery ended just short of victory.
