An Emerging Players XI have made sure that the third match in the Winter Training Squad series will be a decider after they beat a New Zealand XI in the second of three One-Day matches at Bert Sutcliffe Oval.
Both sides will be disappointed that bad light ended play after an enthralling seesawing day of cricket. Before play was called the game was swaying towards an Emerging Players XI victory with strong scoreboard pressure on the NZ XI.
A solid opening stand granted the New Zealand XI a great start to their chase, before they lost Anton Devcich and Jeet Raval in the space of three balls. A number of players made starts for the New Zealand XI, with every batsman in the top seven at least making double figures.
However none could push on to provide the guiding hand the chase needed.
Wickets continued to fall at crucial times, slowing the chase down. Otago’s Michael Bracewell employing six bowlers as he looked to restrict the NZ XI chase. Auckland’s Shawn Hicks was playing out a promising 43* before play was stopped.
Earlier the Emerging Players XI put together a strong total of 279-8 off their 45 overs. Auckland’s Robbie O’Donnell impressing with 70 off 78 balls. The former New Zealand Under 19 captain enjoying several solid partnerships.
For the second day in a row Corey Anderson was also involved in a standout partnership. O’Donnell and Anderson putting together 84 for the 3rd wicket. Seth Rance led the bowling effort for NZ XI taking 2-48 off his eight overs.
The deciding match between the sides will start at 10-30am on Thursday.
NZC Emerging Players XI 279-8 (Robbie O’Donnell 70, Hamish Rutherford 45, Colin de Grandhomme 41) defeated New Zealand XI 197-6 off 37.1 overs (Shawn Hicks 43*, Jeet Raval 33) by 28 runs (DLS).
NEW ZEALAND XI AP Devcich, JA Raval, WA Young (c), MS Chapman, TA Blundell, S Hicks, CD Fletcher (wk), BM Wheeler, LH Ferguson, JA Duffy, HK Bennett
NZC EMERGING PLAYERS MG Bracewell (c), HD Rutherford, RR O'Donnell, CJ Anderson, C de Grandhomme, TL Seifert (wk), AF Milne, TD Astle, SC Kuggeleijn, MJ Henry, EJ Nuttall, SHA Rance
