The BLACKCAPS got their first opportunity to get some time in the middle on Tuesday, when they faced a strong President’s Board XI at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai.
In some of the hottest and most humid temperatures the Mumbai locals said they’d experienced this season, the match was the perfect opportunity for the BLACKCAPS to adjust to the conditions. The visitor’s played with 13, resting and rotating some of the players who had joined from New Zealand A the day before.
Kane Williamson won the toss and opted to bowl first, but the opening batting pair of Prithvi Shaw and the internationally experienced player Lokesh Rahul, made things tough on the BLACKCAPS bowling attack.
After half-centuries for both batsman and with India 147-0, the BLACKCAPS finally made a breakthrough via Ish Sodhi. Mitchell Santner made it two in quick succession and some pressure was applied on the hosts.
The President’s XI continued to accumulate, but Trent Boult saw to it that no substantial partnership took place, picking up wickets at regular intervals.
Karun Nair (78) guided India to 295-9 from their 50 overs, but it was the figures of Boult (5-38) that stopped the home side from passing 300. Mitchell Santner was also effective, finishing with numbers of 2-40.
The BLACKCAPS batting effort saw all of the top six make starts and get some valuable time in the middle, thought none were match winning efforts.
Williamson (47) looked in good touch before falling just short of 50, but the big talking point was Tom Latham (57) making a solid start at the number five spot.
The wicketkeeper-batsman swept effectively and ticked over the strike nicely, until he was eventually dismissed in the 40th over.
Despite late knocks from Mitchell Santner (26) and Colin de Grandhomme (33), the BLACKCAPS were unable to finish off the chase, the President’s XI dismissing the New Zealand side after 47.4 overs.
The BLACKCAPS will play their second warm-up match on Thursday.
