After a challenging first leg of New Zealand A's tour of India and Sri Lanka, coach Grant Bradburn is pleased with the team's progress.
"The guys are in good heart. While it's obviously disappointing to lose the final one dayer, we felt we had the better of India A for a large part of the match today, but just couldn't play well enough to bring home a win.
"None the less, there's been some great learning experiences over the series. Some individuals have really stood out, making a claim for international cricket. Others will be disappointed, but we're really looking forward to the next challenge of Sri Lanka," said Bradburn.
One of the tour's aims has been to expose the players to the challenges of playing and touring in the sub continent.
"These conditions present daily challenges to the guys, and it's been a brilliant way for them to learn how to adapt, and apply their skills in foreign conditions. It's been extremely hot, it's been really humid, and the playing conditions and surfaces have been a little bit variable, a little bit slower, and we've been playing a very good India A side.
"The guys are in good heart. While it's obviously disappointing to lose the final one dayer, we felt we had the better of India A for a large part of the match today, but just couldn't play well enough to bring home a win.
"None the less, there's been some great learning experiences over the series. Some individuals have really stood out, making a claim for international cricket. Others will be disappointed, but we're really looking forward to the next challenge of Sri Lanka," said Bradburn.
New Zealand A line up before their tour opener v India A in Visakhapatnam.
One of the tour's aims has been to expose the players to the challenges of playing and touring in the sub continent.
"These conditions present daily challenges to the guys, and it's been a brilliant way for them to learn how to adapt, and apply their skills in foreign conditions. It's been extremely hot, it's been really humid, and the playing conditions and surfaces have been a little bit variable, a little bit slower, and we've been playing a very good India A side.
Anton Devcich recovers from the heat after scoring a century in the second tour match.
"We've beeen working hard on playing spin, we've been able to train on that a lot, we've had some great discussions and also observed the Indians playing our top spinners. It's been valuable for our seamers too, learning to apply themselves, and create and take wickets on surfaces that don't offer the same assistance as back home. The ball is forever changing, it doesn't offer the same movement and swing... it's been challenging for the bowlers, but at the same time, great learning," said Bradburn.
The team now travels to Sri Lanka, and will be looking to continue their learning.
"There's been some great individual performances here, and as a team we feel we're getting closer to what it takes to put pressure on the opposition and put ourselves in winning positions in these tough environments. It's an excellent group, all open minded and willing to share, we've had some great opportunities to learn and discuss from each other. It's a quality team, full of great characters. The team is in good heart, and we're all trying to develop our skills required to perform at the top level in this tough environment," said Bradburn.
"We've beeen working hard on playing spin, we've been able to train on that a lot, we've had some great discussions and also observed the Indians playing our top spinners. It's been valuable for our seamers too, learning to apply themselves, and create and take wickets on surfaces that don't offer the same assistance as back home. The ball is forever changing, it doesn't offer the same movement and swing... it's been challenging for the bowlers, but at the same time, great learning," said Bradburn.
The team now travels to Sri Lanka, and will be looking to continue their learning.
"There's been some great individual performances here, and as a team we feel we're getting closer to what it takes to put pressure on the opposition and put ourselves in winning positions in these tough environments. It's an excellent group, all open minded and willing to share, we've had some great opportunities to learn and discuss from each other. It's a quality team, full of great characters. The team is in good heart, and we're all trying to develop our skills required to perform at the top level in this tough environment," said Bradburn.
Bradburn is pleased with the team's attitude in tough conditions, and their willingness to help each other improve.