New Zealand A takes a clean sweep

A little bit of Lincoln damp couldn’t stop New Zealand A getting off to their customary flier as they set off in search of a clean sweep in the one-day series with Sri Lanka.

Their final 50-over fling was reduced to 45 overs by rain ahead of play, but captain Henry Nicholls’s plan to bat first paid quick dividends. Nisala Tharaka’s opening over was ripped for 19, helped by three George Worker boundaries and a no ball that likewise took off for four as the aggressive opener set off to dominate the early proceedings.

Worker racing ahead, Michael Pollard then found the first six of the innings off Rajitha and New Zealand A’s 50 was on the board inside six overs. The writing was on the wall that Sri Lanka A was already under the pump to contain another relentless batting display.

Lahiru Madushanka’s introduction brought a little relief for Sri Lanka, at least. The paceman started with a welcome maiden, then took Pollard's wicket next over, right on the chime of the 10-over mark.

Pollard’s lbw for 32 off 30 ended the cracking opening stand of 76 with Worker but, when his opening partner was caught and bowled on 47 — just one run shy of the New Zealand A 100 in the 16th over, Michael Bracewell calmly took up the baton through the middle for a 61-ball half century.

Bracewell’s dismissal in the 32nd over brought an unfettered Mitchell Santner to the crease, fresh from his selection for the BLACKCAPS’ Test tour of Australia.

Despite the game’s 45-over cutoff, the young offspinning allrounder put yet another New Zealand A tally of 300 on the cards. Santner pummelled his second six, off Madushanka, to raise his half-century off just 33 balls (5 x 4, 2 x 6) and, with steady support from Nicholls (44), took his side into a strong position for the death charge, finishing unbeaten for a 43-ball knock of 70 at 299/5.

Sri Lanka A needed their 300 at 6.67 per over, but got off to a nightmare start — Matt Quinn dislodging Dickwella in the second over before Neil Wagner made a double strike, getting both Vithanage and Jayasuriya caught behind cheaply in the fifth.

So much weighed on the shoulders of opener Gunathilaka, who kept positive as he powered to 39 off 27 balls. His undoing was the first over of spin, bowled by Ish Sodhi, but the greater problem for Sri Lanka A was a lack of support as they teetered at 97/5.

With Kapugdera unable to bat, the end came swiftly as Matt Quinn and Jacob Duffy picked up their second wickets en route to stopping Sri Lanka A at 127/9 inside 26 overs for a 172-run victory and 4-0 series sweep.

The first of two first-class fixtures between the teams starts at Hagley Oval on Saturday.