India pace bowler Ashok Dinda claimed five wickets to end Solid Energy New Zealand A hopes of victory at Chennai.
Dinda took five wickets for 60 in the New Zealand second innings to stall the tourists at 225 all out, 129 runs short of their victory target. Leg spinner Amit Mishra backed the opening bowler’s efforts with three wickets to complete a home victory.
Mishra, a call up to the India Test squad to face Australia, accounted for both Aaron Redmond (37) and Peter Fulton (39) in the same over, the pair having added 49 to the overnight score of 41 for one.
James Marshall made 47 to boost the salvage bid, but Dinda also claimed two wickets in an over – those of Marshall and Greg Hay (20).
Reece Young was unbeaten on 39 but Dinda cut through the tail to decide matters.
The teams play a second four-day match, starting Friday (October 3), also at Chennai.
Short scorecard:
India A 248 (Vijay 45, Pathan 44, McCullum 6-90) and 336 (Raina 146, Arnel 4-38) beat Solid Energy New Zealand A 230 (Redmond 51, Marshall 51, Parmar 3-57) and 225 (Marshall 47, Dinda 5-60) by 129 runs
