FIRST INNINGS: New Zealand XI 261-9d (Rutherford 75, Bracewell 43; Whiteley 2- 16) v Worcestershire 291-7d (Whiteley 103*, Cox 35, Barnard 26; Wagner 2- 17, Henry 2-71, Bracewell 2-47) at New Road.
SECOND INNINGS: New Zealand XI 275-9d (Guptill 150, Henry 30; Choudhry 5- 78) v Worcestershire 230 all out (Kohler-Cadmore 55, Craig 4-56, Henry 3-56); NZXI wins by 15 runs.
The New Zealand XI has claimed a remarkable come-from-behind victory against Worcestershire – taking the final six wickets for only 22 runs to win today at New Road.
In a gripping final session, the New Zealand XI declared at 275-9, meaning that Worcestershire required 246 from 50 overs to claim victory, the home side came up 15 runs short.
The hosts looked like they were going to make history when they were 191-3 and only needed 55 further runs in 16 overs with seven wickets in hand.
But they collapsed in spectacular fashion when they were bowled out for 230 and lost the chance to upset the New Zealand side in their final warm up match for the Test series against England.
Worcestershire were looking for their first triumph against a touring international side this century and their first in a non-limited overs game since they defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in 1992.
BLACKCAPS off-spinner Mark Craig was one of the leading antagonists when he claimed 4-56, following his five wicket bag last week at Somerset, to complete the win.
At the other end, Matt Henry finished the job when he claimed the final three wickets, the final blow coming when Ed Barnard edged one to Ross Taylor at first slip with 16 balls remaining.
The Canterbury pace man, who is hoping to make his Test debut for New Zealand this week, finished the day with figures of 3-56 from 11.2 overs on his return from the Indian Premier League.
BLACKCAPS Coach Mike Hesson was pleased with the character his team showed to complete the win.
“We wanted to put ourselves under pressure in terms of trying to set up a game [to win] and obviously Worcester bought into that as well,” said Hesson.
“The way we fought back, they are characteristics that we have shown for a period of time and that was good to see.”
The talking point earlier in the day was the performance of Martin Guptill.
Guptill, on his comeback from injury, was the best of the New Zealand XI batting performance when he delivered some classical shot making on his way to 150 from 210 deliveries.
“Martin played superbly,” said Hesson. “I think his tempo was exactly what you want to see from an international opener. He has done exactly what you want from a player who is pushing for a Test spot. It was certainly a decisive performance today and Martin will come into serious consideration.”
The BLACKCAPS opener, who has not played a Test match since this corresponding tour in 2013, continued his good form in English conditions after his double century for Derbyshire in the lead up to the tour.
Guptill began the day on 61 not out, alongside good mate Taylor (29), and brought up the first century of the tour for the New Zealand XI from 151 balls.
The 28-year-old from Auckland went on to form a valuable partnership with Henry (30) before he skied a ball from Charlie Morris to Kohler-Cadmore at cover in the 70th over.
Guptill, who finished as the leading run scorer at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, spent a valuable four hours and 30 minutes at the crease in an innings that included 15 fours and three sixes.
Off spinner Shaaiq Choudhry was the best of the Worcestershire bowling line-up as he claimed his best bowling figures for the county side with 5-78 from 18 overs.
This fixture, which was reduced to a three day match due to heavy rain on day one, was not a first class game so the full squads could be interchanged throughout the match.
The BLACKCAPS, who welcome skipper Brendon McCullum, Kane Williamson, Trent Boult and Tim Southee into the squad over the next two days, will be buoyed by this fine come from behind win.
BLACKCAPS Tour of England: England v New Zealand First Test: Thursday May 21.
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DAY TWO
FIRST INNINGS: New Zealand XI 261-9d (Rutherford 75, Bracewell 43; Whiteley 2- 16) v Worcestershire 291-7d (Whiteley 103*, Cox 35, Barnard 26; Wagner 2- 17, Henry 2-71, Bracewell 2-47) at New Road.
SECOND INNINGS: New Zealand XI 89-2 (Guptill 61*, Taylor 13*); NZXI leads lead by 59 runs with 8 wickets remaining.
It was a day of two halves today at New Road.
The New Zealand XI owned the first session with a dominant bowling performance, led by Neil Wagner (2-17), Matt Henry (2-71) and Doug Bracewell (2-47), to have the hosts 143-6 at lunch.
In the afternoon, Worcestershire, courtesy of Ross Whiteley (103*), Ben Cox (35) and Ed Barnard (26*), fought back valiantly to claim a First Innings lead of 30 runs when they declared at 291-7 to the delight of their home fans.
In reply, Martin Guptill (61*) helped restore the New Zealand XI’s advantage to 59 runs with eight wickets in hand as the visitors batted for 26 overs to close out the day’s play.
Tom Latham (3) and Hamish Rutherford (8) were the wickets to fall this evening. Latham was caught at leg slip by Tom Fell from the bowling of Jack Shantry in the 11th over.
Rutherford, meanwhile, was undone in the 18th over by Moeen Ali’s first ball that pitched on middle and leg and spun to hit the top of off stump.
At the start of the day, the visitors came out firing in the warm and fine conditions.
The New Zealand XI made early inroads into the Worcestershire batting line up with Neil Wagner and Matt Henry dynamic from the first ball.
Wagner removed Moeen Ali in his opening over of the morning when the England international chipped to square leg and Bracewell took a fine sprawling catch.
Henry, who arrived only two days before the match, picked up his first wicket of the tour when got the edge of Tom Fell (0) and then shortly after he bowled Alex Gidman (5).
Bracewell, who featured with 43 with the bat in a 70 run ninth wicket partnership with Wagner, got his first wicket of the match when he drew the edge from Daryl Mitchell and Guptill took a superb catch at third slip.
Corey Anderson, who returned from the IPL ahead of this match, his first appearance of the tour and finished with figures of 0-38 from eight overs.
Ben Wheeler joined in when he bowled Alexie Kervezee (33) and Worcestershire was 143-6 at lunch. The New Zealand XI reflected on a fine morning’s work, but the break proved to be a turning point.
Following the interval, the home side began brightly with Whiteley and Cox combining for a 70 run partnership while the New Zealand captain BJ Watling mixed it up and offered opportunities to rookies Wheeler, Jacob Duffy and Mitchell Santner with the ball.
Almost 30 overs after they came together, Cox was dismissed by Bracewell with Jacob Duffy taking the catch at extra cover.
Whiteley carried on unperturbed and received good support from Barnard. He came close to bringing up his century before Tea, at 96, and brought up the milestone from 116 balls with a fine shot through midwicket.
The opening day of this fixture was washed out by heavy rain which reduced it to a three day match. It is not a first class game so the full squads can be interchanged throughout the match.
The final day of the New Zealand XI v Worcestershire will begin at 11am tomorrow.
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DAY ONE
FIRST INNINGS: New Zealand XI 261-9d (Rutherford 75, Bracewell 43; Whiteley 2- 16) v Worcestershire 65-1 (Oliver 30, Ali 20*; Wagner 1- 6) at New Road. Worcestershire trail by 196 runs with nine wickets in hand.
BLACKCAPS Test opener Hamish Rutherford has played the leading hand for the New Zealand XI on day one of their match against Worcestershire at New Road.
The 26-year-old hit a patient innings of 75 from 140 balls to be New Zealand’s top scorer in their second and final warm up game ahead of the first Test against England at Lord’s next week.
Rutherford said it was nice to spend some time in the middle as he continues to adjust to the English conditions.
"It was a bit different batting at 3, having to wait to bat," he said. "But it was nice to spend a good length of time at the crease and play an innings that isn't one I am used to playing."
At the tail, Doug Bracewell (43 from 64 balls) and Neil Wagner (16*) combined for an important 70 run, ninth wicket partnership before the visitors declared on 261-9.
The hosts responded in kind with Worcestershire’s Richard Oliver (30) and Darryl Mitchell (15*) entertaining their home fans with a 40 run opening stand.
Wagner, the pick of the NZ bowlers with a lively spell of 1-6 from six overs, got the breakthrough in the 14th over when Oliver edged one to Martin Guptill at third slip.
England’s international Moeen Ali (20*) was resolute as he carried his bat to the close of play and Worcestershire will resume tomorrow 196 runs behind with nine wickets in hand.
After the opening day of the four day match was washed out by heavy rain, stand-in skipper BJ Watling won the toss and opted to bat in the warm and fine conditions.
The New Zealand XI made a steady start but lost wickets at regular intervals with Tom Latham (7), Guptill (35) and Ross Taylor (12) all departing to be 96-3 after 27 overs.
Guptill, in his comeback match from a side strain and pressing for a spot in the Test side, timed the ball superbly before he was undone by a slower ball from Jack Shantry to be caught at mid-off.
Meanwhile Rutherford, the son of former BLACKCAPS skipper Ken, was the mainstay throughout.
He brought up his half century from 82 deliveries, and then combined with Mark Craig (17) for a 35 run partnership. He was stumped by Ben Cox off the bowling of Ali.
Worcestershire, cheered on by a sizeable crowd at one of England’s traditional grounds, bowled with accuracy. Ross Whiteley (2-16), Ali (2-35) and Charlie Morris (2-32) were the best performers as they restricted the New Zealand side.
In the latter stages, Bracewell and Wagner frustrated the Worcestershire attack with the former playing a leading role in the partnership striking six fours and a six in his innings.
His time at the crease came to an end when he was caught behind by Cox from the bowling of Ed Barnard and moments after Watling indicated the declaration from the balcony of the pavilion.
The New Zealand bowling line up, with Matt Henry and Ben Wheeler opening the attack, looked for early wickets but they were met by resistance and will hope to make inroads tomorrow.
This match against Worcestershire is not a first class fixture so the full squads from both teams can be interchanged throughout the match.
Day Two of the New Zealand XI v Worcestershire will begin at 11am tomorrow.
