Kadeer's return to form was good news for England A

Scott Newman and Kadeer Ali made half centuries as England A built a 284-run lead against a Tamil Nadu Cricket Association XI in Madras.

The tourists were 251-6 at the close of play, giving them a chance of their first win since arriving in India.

They began the third day's play by dismissing the home side for 333, with paceman Simon Jones taking 5-57.

Newman (57) and Ali (56) then put on 125, a welcome return to form after both made nought in the first innings.

Both fell in quick succession, but Michael Lumb and Matt Prior added 55 for the third wicket before Prior was caught off Sivaramakrishnan Vidyut for 35.

The left-arm spinner proved the main threat to England A and he also dismissed Lumb (27), Kevin Pietersen (31) and Bilal Shafayat (27) for figures of 4-44.

Shafayat's downfall came in the final over of play, leaving partner Graeme Wagg on four not out.

Jones got through 24.2 overs during the Tamil Nadu innings

Tamil Nadu had begun the day on 272-6, but had only added three to their total when C Ganapathy was deceived by spinner James Tredwell and stumped by Shafayat for eight.

Tredwell was again involved when he took the catch off Jones to deny Kuthethurshri Vasudevadas a century, the 19-year-old departing for 98.

Ganapathi Vignesh was last to go, caught by Shaftab Khalid off Jones for 12.