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BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa, - New Zealand earned a day off when they beat a South African Invitation XI by 216 runs on Saturday.
The Invitation XI, who chased 308 to win, were dismissed for 91 to hand the Black Caps victory by 216 runs with eight overs unbowled on the third day of the scheduled four-day match.
Fast bowler Shane Bond took three for 26, while there were two wickets each for medium pacers Jacob Oram and Chris Martin as well as for left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori.
But New Zealand weren't in celebratory mood earlier when they were dismissed for 145 in their second innings with Craig Cumming's 67 their only innings of note.
According to Brendon McCullum, at least part of the blame for the low scores must be carried by a pitch that offered steepling bounce and exaggerated movement off the seam.
"It was pretty bad throughout, not the ideal pitch to help you prepare for a test series," McCullum said.
"All the batters have their fingers cross for the game in Potchefstroom."
New Zealand will play South Africa A in another four-day tour match in Potchefstroom from Thursday.
Potchefstroom has a reputation for producing flat pitches. However, Bloemfontein's pitches are also usually placid.
Opener Cumming, who hit 56 of his runs in boundaries, dominated a second-wicket stand of 44 in which Stephen Fleming scored five off 21 balls.
That proved to be New Zealand's biggest partnership in an innings in which Oram (12), McCullum (18) and Vettori (10) were the only other players to reach double figures.
Seamers Jon Kent and Ethy Mbhalati exploited the conditions well to take four for 45 and three for 53 respectively.
The Invitation XI reached tea on 26 for one, but six overs later they were they 44 for five after three strikes by Bond and two by Oram.
McCullum said Oram, who took four for 17 in the first innings, was New Zealand's most dangerous bowler.
"Oram was outstanding again," McCullum said. "He's an out-and-out seamer so the pitch suited him, and he was able to use his height to get good bounce."
Martin picked off Thandi Tshabalala (2) and Lonwabo Tsotsobe (0) with edges to McCullum, and Vettori ended the match by dismissing Thami Tsolekile (30) and Yusuf Abdullah (4) three balls apart.
New Zealand take on South Africa in the first of two tests in Johannesburg on November 8.
- NZPA
