BLACKCAPS 267 all out in 34.3 overs (Elliott 54, Latham 51, Ronchi 32) beat North West Dragons 153 all out in 30.3 overs (Munro 50; Sodhi 3-27) by 114 runs at Potchefstroom
A consistent and at times brutal batting effort has seen the BLACKCAPS comfortably win their second warm up game against North West Cricket Club by 114 runs today at Potchefstroom.
The BLACKCAPS, who are preparing for their first ODI against Zimbabwe on August 2 in Harare, were bowled out for 267 in the 35th over after Tom Latham (51 from 56 balls), Grant Elliott (54 from 33) and Luke Ronchi (32 from 19) dominating the local attack with fierce hitting.
All three players, and Jimmy Neesham (8 from 11 balls), were retired by coach Mike Hesson who once again rotated the time at the crease in the 35-over contest.
The hosts in reply, with BLACKCAPS Colin Munro and Matt Henry in their XI, got off to a disastrous start at 1-2 after two overs, but continued to play their shots on their way to defeat.
Allrounder Munro (50 from 40 balls) enjoyed taking on his teammates and was the top scorer for North West with an innovative innings of risk and reward shot-making.
Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi always looked dangerous and was the best of the bowling effort with six overs 3 for 27. The hot and dry conditions were good preparation for the surfaces expected in Zimbabwe.
Left-arm quick Ben Wheeler claimed the final two wickets to finish with three for 23 runs from 6.3 overs.
Earlier in the day after the 10.30am start, Latham and George Worker (27 from 33) opened the innings with good effect, putting on 56 for the first wicket before Worker was caught at mid-off in the 11th over.
Latham, who scored an unbeaten 60 from 39 balls in yesterday’s T20 match, took his opportunity again with a patient and purposeful innings that included six fours and a six.
The Cantabrian came up against a familiar face in Henry who opened the bowling for North West Cricket and produced a lively spell. Henry finished with 1-32 from his 6.3 overs.
Skipper Kane Williamson (23 from 18 balls) joined him at the crease and went after Munro with some aerial drives. He took him on one too many times and was caught behind in the 16th over. Munro finished with 1-36 from four overs.
That opened the way for Elliott to come to the crease and the South African-born allrounder produced arguably the innings of the day.
The “Hairy Javelin”, a cult hero from the ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final at Eden Park, was back to his shot making best as he hit four fours and three towering sixes.
He was joined at the crease by Luke Ronchi who also showed no respect for the North West attack.
Ronchi, who has been playing at Somerset in the break since the England Tour, clubbed three sixes and a four in a trademark innings of power hitting.
Adam Milne once again showed his ability with the bat at the tail of order when he hit an unbeaten 32 from only 15 balls. His free-scoring time in the middle saw the BLACKCAPS cruise to a big total.
The team welcomed Mitchell McClenaghan into camp today and Ross Taylor, Martin Guptill and Nathan McCullum will join the squad in Zimbabwe after playing in the Caribbean Premier League.
The BLACKCAPS, who travel to Zimbabwe tomorrow, have enjoyed a good build-up at Potchefstroom ahead of the three match ODI series in Harare which begins in five days’ time.
Our Te Reo word of the day is pārekareka: fun
