Cricket: Victory for NZ but batsmen struggle

POTCHEFSTROOM, South Africa - New Zealand won their second warm-up cricket match against the South African A side in Potchefstroom last night (NZ time), but their batsmen wasted the chance to cash in on one of the flattest pitches in the republic.

Skipper Stephen Fleming was the team's mainstay, scoring 100 to guide the Black Caps to 231 for nine after they were asked to bat first.

The South Africa A run-chase never got out of first gear as they struggled to 128 all out, Shane Bond putting the Kiwis in the fast lane to a 103-run victory as he wrapped up the innings with four wickets in 11 balls.

Fleming timed the ball sweetly and never looked troubled in his 114-ball century.

It took lower-order contributions from Brendon McCullum (37) and Kyle Mills (47 not out) to get the Black Caps past 200 after the skipper fell at 148 for six.

Nathan Astle scored a 12-ball duck before edging a catch to second slip , while Lou Vincent sparkled briefly with a six and a four in his 14.

Hamish Marshall had wretched luck when he flicked his first ball to square-leg and Jacob Oram (2) threw his wicket away trying a risky single.

Bond's first four overs went for 36 runs but he bowled with his usual fire in his second stint to finish with five for 37 in 5.5 overs. It was wily medium-pacers Astle and Andre Adams who did the most, however, to restrict the South Africa A batsmen, just 51 runs trickling off their combined 18 overs.

Fleming said he was satisfied with the team's preparation.

"It's too early to be concerned about the top-order, because it's pretty hot here and the guys have spent the last few weeks practising indoors," he said.

"It will take a bit of adjustment. Kyle Mills was cooked by the heat today; after bowling five overs he was in lala land and it was pretty important to get him off as soon as possible."

Fleming said he always thought 230 was enough, unless there was some individual brilliance, because the pitch was always going to get lower and slower.

- NZPA