An all-round performance from India Emerging Players helped them seal a comfortable nine-wicket win over New Zealand A at Endeavour Park No. 2 in Townsville. New Zealand, who were following on, were bowled out for 239, which meant India had to chase 108 runs for victory, which they did so with ease.
New Zealand, who ended the second day still 84 runs adrift of India's first-innings score, with seven wickets in hand, began strongly. Overnight batsmen Daniel Flynn and Dean Brownlie batted solidly, to put on 148 runs for the fourth wicket to lift their side to 174 for 3. Both batsmen made fighting half-centuries but once they were dismissed - both in their eighties - New Zealand's fightback ended. They slumped from 205 for 5 to 239 all out with seamer R Vinay Kumar picking up three of the last five wickets to fall, to end up with figures of 4 for 33.
India raced through the chase, despite losing captain Shikhar Dhawan with the score on 10. Ajinkya Rahane and CM Gautam forged an unbeaten 98-run partnership at close to six runs an over, to carry India home. With six points for their outright win, India are the top of the points table while New Zealand, who were docked three points for being three overs short of their minimum target of overs, are in third position.
Half-centuries from Ryan Carters and Jon Holland helped Australian Institute of Sport draw their match against South Africa Emerging Players at Endeavour Park.
Australia began the third day trailing South Africa's first-innings score by 160 with 10 wickets in hand. They lost their openers early and while a third-wicket partnership of 43 between Tim Armstrong and Tom Beaton steadied the innings, Dale Deeb struck to dismiss both batsmen in quick succession to leave Australia struggling at 79 for 4. They lost two further wickets and at 135 for 6, South Africa looked like they could press for victory. They were, however, thwarted by a dogged 121-run seventh-wicket partnership between captain Carters and No. 8 Holland that lifted Australia for 256 for 6. Holland fell for 61 and Carters soon followed for 70, but the duo had done enough to haul their team out of trouble and ensure a draw. With two draws in two games, Australia are yet to earn a point and are second on the points table with South Africa placed fourth.
