Cricket: Ronchi helps NZ A into solid position

A bracing century by Wellington wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi helped New Zealand A into a solid position after the second day of their opening tour match against India A. Photo / Getty Images.

A bracing century by Wellington wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi helped New Zealand A into a solid position after the second day of their opening tour match against India A in Vizakhapatnam yesterday.

After the first day was rained out, NZ A were in difficulties, having won the toss, at 106 for six before Ronchi and Canterbury allrounder Todd Astle shared a 146-run stand.

Ronchi finished on 125 off 110 balls, wtih 16 fours and four sixes, while Astle, who has played one test, hit 63.

NZ A finished all out for 310 and India A were six for one at stumps.

''It was really good to make some runs from a personal point of view but with the position we were in it was good to have a partnership with Toddy,'' former Australian limited-overs international Ronchi said.

''I think we're in a fantastic position. Now we've just got to focus on bowling well on a flat wicket and take our opportunities.''

New Zealand's specialist batsmen couldn't take their chance early on, with ducks for Daryl Mitchell and Derek de Boorder, and none of the top three, captain Tom Latham, Neil Broom and Carl Cachopa, got beyond 15.

Indian offspinner Jalaj Saxena, with six for 106 was the pick of the home team's bowling attack.

Short scoreboard:
NZ A 310 (L. Ronchi 110, T. Astle 63, J. Neesham 27, C. Cachopa 15, T. Latham 15; J. Saxena 6-106) v India A 6-1 (Astle 1-4)