New Zealand 277 and 297 for 8 (Bruce 104*, Solia 62, Foxcroft 53) lead Australia A 275 by 299 runs
Bruce, the New Zealand A captain, reached a 148-ball century deep in the final session during which he passed 5000 first-class runs. By the close, the visitors held a lead of 299 and seemingly set for a declaration in the morning.
For much of the day the tempo was sedate with the visitors, who were a batter down in the absence of injured wicketkeeper Mitch Hay due to a fractured wrist, rarely looking to the increase the scoring rate,
Australia A had a depleted attack for much of the day with Ben Dwarshuis (back soreness) and Nathan McAndrew (illness) becoming unavailable. It meant an increased workload for Perry and Hatcher who shouldered it impressively, taking their combined match tally to 14 wickets.
