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The BLACKCAPS arrived in London today (Saturday - UK time) ahead of next week’s start to the World Twenty20 tournament – after delivering a solid thrashing to The Netherlands to end their training camp on a high note.
Saturday’s game at Wormsley, near Oxford, saw the BLACKCAPS score 194 for 8, before dismissing The Netherlands in the 20th over for just 104.
Batting first, the New Zealanders took control from the top of the innings, with Brendon McCullum plundering 27 off a hapless Dirk Nannes’ first two overs, including five fours and a six.
McCullum and Jesse Ryder put on 46 for the first wicket, and McCullum went on to amass 62, including eight fours and two sixes.
Neil Broom, 28, Scott Styris, 26, and Jacob Oram, 20, provided good support as the BLACKCAPS went confidently through to 194 for 8 in their 20 overs.
In reply the Dutch side never got momentum going as the BLACKCAPS bowlers dominated the innings. None of their batsmen made it to 20, and tight bowling prevented The Netherlands from constructing any significant partnerships.
The Netherlands never looked like mounting a serious challenge to the target and were dismissed in the 20th over for 104.
James Franklin was the best of the New Zealand bowlers, taking 3 for 10 off four overs, while Daniel Vettori continued his good form with 3 for 24. The other wickets were shared by Iain O’Brien, Jacob Oram, Scott Styris and Brendon Diamanti.
The victory made it four wins from four matches for the BLACKCAPS at their training camp.
The previous day [Friday UK time] the side beat a Professional Cricketers Association Masters XI which included four of the BLACKCAPS squad, as well as former England strike bowler Darren Gough.
Ross Taylor continued his big hitting success with an innings of 74 which included three fours and seven sixes. Martin Guptill scored 56 and Jesse Ryder 37.
Styris then led the chase for the PCA side with an extravagant 51 that included six fours and three sixes. Peter McGlashan, 26, and Neil Broom, 20, also got amongst the runs against their own team but the Masters XI fell well short, finishing their 20 overs on 144 for 8.
O’Brien was the pick of the BLACKCAPS bowlers with 3 for 14 from three overs, while part-time bowler Guptill picked up two wickets.
Coach Andy Moles said he’s been pleased with the team’s form during the practice games.
“We’ve left Wormsley on a high,” he said, “with plenty of good performances with both bat and ball. All our batsmen have got among the runs, we’ve been bowling well and there’s been a real intensity in the field.
“I’m confident we’re moving in the right direction, but we all know we’re coming into the hard part now.”
Moles said the training camp – based at the picturesque Wormsley ground in Buckinghamshire – had definitely been the right approach to the build up for the World Twenty20.
“The facilities have been excellent, the wickets are of a high standard and staff have been extremely helpful. It’s helped create a great environment for the team to adjust to the conditions and work on their game.”
The BLACKCAPS now play official warm-up matches against India at Lord’s on Monday night (UK time), and against Australia at The Oval on Tuesday night.
Their first competition match is against Scotland on Saturday.
