Cricket: NZ A sign off with big win

The New Zealand A (NZA) cricket team closed their India campaign with an emphatic 146-run victory over a local side strong on international talent at Chennai yesterday.

NZA scored 347 for eight before bundling the opposition out for 201 in the 50-over match.

The India Cements 11 included several current or former India international players including seamers Lakshmipathy Balaji and Sudeep Tyagi, along with Hemang Badani and Subramaniam Badrinath.

The NZA innings was dominated by a 141-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Gareth Hopkins and Peter Fulton.

Fulton made 89 from 79 balls, and Hopkins went on to top score with 94 from 77.

Other strong contributions came from opener Jamie How, 49, Brendon Diamanti, 22, and Aaron Redmond, batting down the order for a rapid 36 not out from 22 balls.

The New Zealanders quickly went on attack with the ball, with Shane Bond and Tim Southee taking early wickets to have India Cements at 66 for three.

Diamanti was the most successful bowler, claiming three for 50 from his 10 overs. Bond, Southee and Kane Williamson took two wickets each.

This was an unofficial match organised after the New Zealanders were eliminated from the Buchi Babu All India Invitation tournament at the weekend.

Diamanti, Bond, Neil Broom, Hopkins, Nathan McCullum, Peter McGlashan and Kyle Mills will now join the Black Caps in Sri Lanka for the one-day internationals segment of the tour.

Short scorecard
New Zealand A 347-8 in 50 overs (Gareth Hopkins 94, Peter Fulton 89, Jamie How 49; Amarnath 4-56, Balaji 2-42) India Cements 201 in 42.1 overs (Prasanna 57, Badani 57; Brendon Diamanti 3-50, Shane Bond 2-18, Southee 2-37, Kane Williamson 2-11)

New Zealand A win by 146 runs.

- NZPA