The New Zealand Under-19 team lost their second Tri-Series match in Darwin, Australia yesterday, falling short of India Under19’s total of 276 by 165 runs.
A brilliant 128 by Vijay Zol was the backbone of India’s big score, as they finished their 50 overs just six wickets down. In reponse, New Zealand was unable to form any meaningful partnerships and were dismissed for 111 in the 42nd over.
Openers Henry Collier and Rakitha Weerasundara were put under pressure early in the pursuit and the pressure soon told, as India’s bowlers ripped through the top-order to relegate New Zealand to 35 for six.
Ken McClure (41) and Kyle Jamieson (23) showed some resistance, putting on 51 for the seventh wicket. It was however a helpless situation by this point and the remaining batsmen were eventually cleaned up to hand India a big win.
Earlier, a 105 run second wicket stand between Akhil Herwadkar and Zol had laid down the foundations for India’s total.
Kurtley Watson managed to capture Herwadkar’s wicket for 55, but Zol continued to progress India’s score and took India past 250.
Watson eventually managed to end the onslaught when he bowled Zol late in the innings, but by then the number three had ensured New Zealand’s task would be challenging indeed.
Alec Hodgson picked up a pair of wickets, but Watson’s figures of 2-31-10 made him the pick of the New Zealand bowlers.
New Zealand’s next match is against Australia on Saturday.
