Kuggeleijn’s 85-ball century places New Zealand A in command
Australia A 263 and 31 for 1 want 322 extra runs to beat New Zealand A 147 and 468 (Kuggeleijn 101, Solia 91, Abbas 55, Bruce 51, Perry 4-77, Steketee 4-100)
Scott Kuggeleijn struck a rollicking 85-ball century at No. 8 to depart Australia A an imposing goal of 353 within the first four-day sport at Allan Border Field.
Kuggeleijn’s hundred, his fourth in first-class cricket, included 12 fours and 4 sixes – one a crunching lofted straight drive off Jordan Buckingham with what resembled a golf swing – and it was the final of them, pulled over deep midwicket off Mitchell Swepson, which took him to 3 figures after No. 11 Jacob Duffy had survived to offer him the prospect.
New Zealand A’s lead had been 185 when he walked in with the house aspect hoping to maintain the chase inside far decrease proportions than it will definitely grew to become. Kuggeleijn dominated the scoring, including 91 for the eighth wicket with Brett Randell.
Australia A misplaced Tim Ward, edging a minimize shot to the keeper, earlier than unhealthy mild introduced an early shut with Cameron Bancroft and Caleb Jewell having weathered some testing bowling.
The hosts’ tempo sources had been depleted early within the day when Joel Paris left the sphere with a hamstring pressure and was unable to return. It meant further work for the three remaining quicks with Mark Steketee and Mitch Perrysharing eight wickets between them.
It was a tricky innings for Swepson who completed with 0 for 119 from 27 overs whereas Buckingham, who had been spectacular over the primary two days, got here in for some faucet when Kuggeleijn obtained going.
Earlier, opener Sean Solia had fallen 9 runs wanting his century having maneuvered the guests into a powerful place. He was dropped off the primary ball of the day when Bancroft missed the prospect at second slip however feathered behind towards Perry to the ultimate ball of the morning session.
Captain Tom Bruce had introduced up a strong half-century earlier than he edged to slide, this time Bancroft taking the catch, and Muhammad Abbas overcame his first-innings duck with a neat fifty which ended when he pulled to deep sq. leg.
When Perry eliminated Josh Clarkson and Cam Fletcher in fast succession the competition was very night poised however the guests then took cost.