The BLACKCAPS final preparation to take on India has gone to script, beating an impressive President’s Board XI by 33 runs in Mumbai.
With their first ODI on Sunday, the BLACKCAPS put in a complete performance with both bat and ball. Centuries from Ross Taylor and Tom Latham saw the visitors reach an impressive 343, before dismissing the President’s XI for 310.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, the BLACKCAPS looked in trouble at 3-73, but Taylor and Latham would guide their side away from danger and into a position of strength.
Despite arriving to the crease with his side in a precious position, Taylor took an aggressive approach to his innings, reaching 50 quicker than a run a ball.
The 33 year-old continued to apply pressure and, following the 100 partnership between he and Latham being raised, pushed onto make a highly efficient 102 not out off 83 balls.
In the interest of allowing others to spend time in the middle, Taylor then retired, with Latham taking over the anchor role.
Having recently shifted to the middle-order, Latham made the most of his opportunity with an unbeaten 108*, before he too retired.
Mitchell Santner finished off the innings with an unbeaten 29 from 18 balls, assuring the BLACKCAPS an imposing total.
Facing such a target, the President’s XI would come out aggressive with the bat and got off to a swift start at 51-0.
However, wickets would fall in pairs for up top for the home side, with Santner striking twice in quick succession and Munro earning himself a hat trick ball in the 21st over.
At 158-6 the result looked all but certain, but the President’s XI kept fighting and kept attacking the BLACKCAPS bowlers, staying in the hunt through until the 45th over mark.
Eventually Mitchell Santner ended the late surge by the hosts and finished with figures of 3-44
The BLACKCAPS now shift their attention to Wankhede Stadium where they’ll face Virat Kohli and his men.
All ODI and Twenty20 matches will be televised live on SKY SPORT and live-scored on nzc.nz
