New Zealand A vs India A, 3rd Unofficial One-Day, Review: Clinical visitors whitewash the Kiwis

India A has whitewashed the hosts New Zealand A in the three-match unofficial One-Day series. After sealing the series in the last game itself, many expected for the hosts to make a comeback in the dead rubber. But they didn’t perform to the expectations and despite making a number of changes, the visitors came out on top and this time, while batting first.

Manish Pandey’s luck at the toss continued as he opted to bat this time around. A completely new opening pair walked out for India A. Ishan Kishan was promoted while Anmolpreet Singh was given an opportunity and both of them grabbed it with both the hands. The duo added 68 runs for the first wicket with the former pinned in front of the stumps by Doug Bracewell.

But Anmolpreet continued to bat in the same vein even though Shreyas Iyer and Pandey were dismissed in quick succession. Ankeet Bawne then stitched a decent partnership with the opener and brought the innings back on track. Just when things were looking great for the team, Anmolpreet, in a bid to up the ante, lost his wicket on 71 with the team’s score reading 171.

The wickets kept on falling since then amidst crucial contributions from Axar Patel and Vijay Shankar as India A posted a competitive total of 275 runs in 50 overs for the loss of eight wickets. Seth Rance was the best bowler for New Zealand A as he returned with 3/49 in his seven overs.

Poor chase

Will Young, the in-form batsman who was picked in New Zealand Test squad for Sri Lanka series, didn’t play this game and Bracewell led the side. But the batting became relatively weak and it showed in their unplanned chase. Despite getting starts, none of them kicked on losing wickets at the regular intervals. Only Tim Seifert played well scoring a valiant half-century but the others didn’t support him.

Siddarth Kaul was the best bowler for the visitors as he ended with 4/37 in his seven overs as New Zealand A were skittled for 200 runs in the 45th over. A clinical win of 75 runs helped them whitewash over the hosts after a rain-dominating unofficial Test series which ended in a draw.

Brief Scores

India A 275/8 after 50 overs (A Singh 71; S Rance 3/49)

New Zealand A 200 after 44.2 overs (T Seifert 55; S Kaul 4/37)

Result: India A won by 75 runs and won the series 3-0.

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