Cricket: NZA battle to avoid defeat

New Zealand celebrate a wicket during the Emerging Players Tournament match between the AIS and New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand A risk a heavy defeat to their Indian counterparts after being forced to follow on day two of their Emerging Players cricket tournament match in Townsville yesterday.

Bundled out for 272 in response to India's mammoth 404 for six declared NZA were 48 for three at stumps at Endeavour Park, still 84 runs in arrears with a day to play.

Former New Zealand test batsman Daniel Flynn will try to delay the seemingly inevitable when he resumes on 24 while Dean Brownlie was not out nine.

NZA will rely on the duo to at least get them in credit - and encouragingly both stroke makers recorded half centuries in an insufficient first innings.

Flynn produced a patient 52 from 109 balls after NZA were in early trouble at 24 for two at the close of the opening day while Brownlie compiled his 55 (103) in a similar vein.

Allrounder Luke Woodcock (48) was the only other batsman to make a viable contribution before the NZA innings fizzled out.

Left arm spinner Bhargav Bhatt was the most successful bowler with 3-39 from 16.4 overs.

India's pace attack then took centre stage when NZA's openers padded up a second time - briefly.

Rob Nicol was skittled without scoring by the fifth ball of Vinay Kumar's opening over; Brad Wilson then exited for as golden duck to the first delivery of the second over when he was trapped leg before wicket by Jaidev Unadkat.

Neil Broom, who started this contest on a high after slamming 197 against the Australian Institute of Sport in the opening three-day game last week, came down to earth thanks to an aggregate of 16 from his two innings.

- NZPA