Jamie How kicked on to his highest first-class cricket score as the runfest between New Zealand A and England A ended in a draw in Queenstown.
Stumps were drawn early on the fourth and final day with England A 158 for one in their second innings, with captain Robert Key and Jonathan Trott adding an unbroken 140 for the second wicket.
NZA trailed by 63 on the first innings, but their captain How was the dominant figure of the match with 190 not out to put an impressive case for retention in the first test side to face India in Hamilton on March 18.
He resumed today on 161 and quickly passed his previous best first-class innings of 170, for New Zealand against New South Wales in Sydney in November.
How and allrounder James Franklin added 149 for the fourth wicket before Franklin was dismissed for 92 by England A seamer Liam Plunkett.
How continued on, carrying his bat through the innings as NZA were dismissed for 430 in reply to the tourists' first innings of 493 for five declared.
His 10th first-class century was compiled over 551 minutes, 380 deliveries and included 21 fours and two sixes. Mark Davies was the pick of the English bowlers with four for 54 off 29 overs.
Key and Trott each posted their second 50-plus scores of the match, with Key unbeaten on 66 and former Otago import Trott 75 not out.
The second and final four-day 'test' is at Lincoln, near Christchurch, starting on Saturday.
Day 3: How leads NZA fight back
Jamie How's lean run of recent form ended with an unbeaten century for New Zealand A on the third day of their four-day cricket match against England A in Queenstown today.
How finished the day on 161 not out, including 20 fours and one six off 328 balls, with New Zealand A 375 for three at stumps.
After a rain-interrupted first day, England A declared on 493 for five yesterday and picked up the quick wicket of Tim McIntosh to leave New Zealand A 22 for one at stumps.
But the New Zealanders settled in well today, How constructing productive partnerships first with Peter Ingram then James Franklin to leave New Zealand A in a strong position at stumps.
Franklin kept the score ticking over, ending the day on 83 not out off 130 balls, including 13 fours and a six.
For England A, Mark Davies picked up the wicket of Ingram (73) to finish the day with figures of 2-48 off 23 overs. Abbreviated scores:-
England A 493-5 dec (Robert Key 90, Jonathon Trott 138 no, Samit Patel 101, Luke Wright 55; BJ Arnel 2-56) New Zealand A 375-3 (Jamie How 161no, Peter Ingram 73, James Franklin 83no; Mark Davies 2-48).
Day 1: England A 127 without loss on rain interupted first
The England A opening batsmen have taken their team to 127 without loss on a rain interrupted first day of their four day match against New Zealand A in Queenstown.
Robert Key was the aggressor striking 84 with Stephen Moore reaching 42.
The New Zealand team bowled 37 wicketless overs before rain stopped play.
NZPA
