Day Three
Luke Ronchi’s first stint as a long form opener couldn’t have gone much better, making a belligerent 107 on the final day of the BLACKCAPS warm-up match against the Mumbai XI.
On a quickly deteriorating New Delhi pitch, the visitors faced the sort of test they’ll be expecting plenty more of over the coming weeks, with spin at both ends and variable bounce.
An unconventional batting line-up, which featured Doug Bracewell at three and Trent Boult at six, grafted to erase Mumbai’s first-innings lead, albeit while losing wickets.
The one constant was Ronchi. The 36-year-old was clear in his thinking, playing an aggressive brand and putting the pressure back on the Mumbai bowling attack. Three sixes and 15 fours later he had his century, going at close to a run-a-ball.
BJ Watling worked things round for 43 and Tom Latham made 25 before retiring, but overall the BLACKCAPS will be pleased to have had all 14 players experience three tough days of cricket in the 35 degree heat.
The team now travel to Kanpur on Monday, as they go through their final preparations for the opening Test beginning Thursday.
Day Two
The BLACKCAPS got a taste of some hard Indian cricket on another hot day in New Delhi.
Resuming at 29 for one, the Mumbai XI found the going slow early on as leg sinner Ish Sodhi picked up wickets either side of lunch to leave them 133 for three.
But that was as good as it got for the BLACKCAPS as the hosts of sorts put the foot down late in the day to finish finish in complete control at 431/5, a lead of 107 runs.
Day three should see a declaration and a chance for Kane Williamson and his men to have another bat.
Day One
BLACKCAPS 324-7 declared
Mumbai XI 29-1
The BLACKCAPS tour of India is officially underway, with the tourists playing a three-day match against a Mumbai XI in preparation for the Test series.
Not being an official First Class match, the BLACKCAPS have the luxury of playing all 15 squad members should they wish.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Tom Latham found his feet quickly in the foreign conditions, striking an unbeaten 55 before being retired. At temperatures between 35-40 degrees Celsius in the middle, the 24-year-old opener described the conditions in the morning session as the hottest he’s batted in.
Scorecard
Just about everyone in the top and middle-order spent time in the middle, with skipper Kane Williamson showing considerable aggression and striking two sixes on his way to a half-century.
The lower-order also contributed, with Mark Craig (33*) and Ish Sodhi (29*) putting on an unbeaten 43 for the eighth wicket.
Williamson then called his men in with 13 overs left in the day to get a quick look at the Mumbai top order.
Trent Boult struck in the first over when he enticed opener Jay Bista to feather one through to BJ Watling, but the BLACKCAPS bowling attack was held out thereafter.
The pitch didn’t produce much turn on day one, something that will likely change over the next two days, but still provided the BLACKCAPS with a good chance to set their game plans up ahead of the real thing.
The BLACKCAPS also received bad news at the the end of the day, with Tim Southee ruled out of the Test series with an ankle injury. He’ll return home, with Matt Henry to take his place.
Play for day two starts at 9.30am New Delhi time.
