A superb century from Tom Latham and clinical, all-round bowling performance has seen the BLACKCAPS to a comfortable 105-run win over the Australian Prime Minister’s XI.
A match steeped in tradition, this 50-over encounter at Manuka Oval in Canberra had a slight twist – it was being played with the pink ball.
The BLACKCAPS opening pair of Martin Guptill (94) and Tom Latham (132) certainly managed to adapt quickly though, putting on an opening partnership of 196 and setting up a total of 307-8. Early wickets from stand-in skipper Tim Southee and Trent Boult then crippled the home side’s response and they would fail to recover, dismissed for 205 after 45.2 overs.
The BLACKCAPS have won the toss and will bat first at Manuka Oval ^CE pic.twitter.com/iJM0eDHXDr
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 23, 2015
Earlier, Southee had gone one from one winning the toss – a far superior ratio to usual captain Brendon McCullum – and opted to bat first.
Latham and Guptill quickly justified his decision, combining for only the third ever 100-run opening wicket stand in Prime Minister XI matches.
Though originally getting off to a slow start, once the pair found their rhythm they punished the bowling attack, guiding their side to 150-0 after 28 overs.
A drinks break while they find the ball @martyguptill hit for six #backtheblackcaps ^CE pic.twitter.com/kzz6mivijD
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 23, 2015
As the innings progressed, so did the twos’ aggressive approach and before long they were both in the 90s. A stray pull shot from Guptill cut short his hopes of three figures though, falling six runs short.
The BLACKCAPS stumbled with two further quick wickets, but Latham remained and brought up a near-on errorless ton after 105 balls. The 23-year-old opener went on to make 131 off 127 balls, before a yorker from Peter Siddle snuck through his defences.
It ended a magnificent knock and one which undoubtedly will provide Latham with confidence ahead of the opening Test in Brisbane.
Despite the regular fall of wickets towards the end of the innings, cameos from Neesham (34) and Mitchell Santner (21) pushed the BLACKCAPS beyond the 300 mark.
The PM XI’s reply was shaky from the outset, with Boult and Southee encouraged by some early ball movement. In the third over, Boult made the first breakthrough when he enticed the edge of Usman Khawaja.
Southee then took care of other opener, bowling Cameron Bancroft with a peach of a delivery, while Boult chimed in again with the scalp of Joe Burns. The PM’s XI had been reduced to 13-3 after 7.4 overs. The middle-order would provide more resistance, but Neesham’s dismissal of both Michael Hussey (15) and David Hussey (8) would all but end the host’s chances.
Adam Voges showed plenty fight with a gritty 55, but it was Ryan Carter who was the pick of the batsmen, making a crisp 74 from 71 balls. It was never going to be enough though, with the BLACKCAPS taking advantage of their strong start.
Boult and Neesham finished with three wickets apiece, while Southee, Santner and Doug Bracewell all had one each.
The BLACKCAPS now begin a two-day match against a Cricket Australia XI, which will be livestreamed on cricket.com.au
The BLACKCAPS with the trophy after a 102 run win over the Prime Minister's XI #NZvPMXI ^CE pic.twitter.com/DjzQtT7fBh
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 23, 2015
