Karnataka State Cricket Association's batsmen struggled again as New Zealand 'A' maintained their unbeaten record and skipped further ahead of their rivals in the Emerging players' cricket tournament at Buderim, Melbourne on Sunday.

Karnataka XI, languishing at the bottom of points table, were dismissed for 150 in 48th overs, but two rain interruptions in the New Zealand innings reduced the match by four overs and the target to 142, as per the Duckworth/Lewis method.

James Marshall struck 54 off 64 balls before a damaging cameo of 16 off six deliveries from Warren McSkimming, who finished the match with a six.

The four teams in the Emerging Players Tournament have a rest day tomorrow before the matches switch from the Sunshine Coast to Brisbane.

New Zealand 'A' have six wins and lead the competition while South Africa are second, the Academy third and Karnataka fourth.

The other match between Australian Academy and South Africa Emerging Players, who reached 2 for 32 at Caloundra, was abandoned after only 9.1 overs due to the wet weather, leaving New Zealand with a healthy advantage with three qualifying matches remaining.