Emilio Gay, Tom Haines lead England Lions' steady riposte

Tom Haines followed his 171 in the first unofficial Test with a half-century on Day 2 of the second game as he and Emilio Gay (71) led England Lions' steady riposte in Northampton. India A added just 29 runs to their overnight tally of 319/7 before folding, following which England Lions' top-order gave a good account of themselves until their endeavours were cut short due to bad light.

Joshua Tongue helmed the task of quickly dismantling what was left of the visitors' innings on the second morning. He dismissed the two overnight batters Tanush Kotian and Anshul Kamboj in the space of 10 deliveries and then a direct hit from him sent Tushar Deshpande packing to end India A's efforts on 348.

Haines and his opening partner - Ben McKinney, started solidly but Kamboj ended their alliance in just the eighth over by dismissing the latter. Gay joined Haines for a 94-run stand that stretched past the morning session. Gay shrugged off a blow he copped on his helmet from a Khaleel Ahmed bouncer to carry on in the partnership even as grey clouds hovered. The two batters picked up pace after the Lunch break with Haines reaching his fifty. Soon however, the opener nicked one from Deshpande to Dhruv Jurel behind the stumps.

While Gay carried on, a drizzle forced an early Tea break with the hosts still in arrears of 202 runs. India A bowlers weren't frugal in the final session as Gay got to his half-century and Jordan Cox got going with a few boundaries. The two added a 69-run partnership before Kotian trapped Gay leg before, for a well-made 71. At the end of that over, the umpires checked the light meters and deemed it not good enough to continue. The situation didn't improve, bringing an early end to the day's play with England Lions comfortable at 192/3, trailing the visitors by 156 runs.

Brief Scores: England Lions 192/3 (Emilio Gay 71, Tom Haines 54; Anshul Kamboj 1-38) trail India A 348 (KL Rahul 116, Dhruv Jurel 52; Chris Woakes 3-50) by 156 runs