Two quality knocks and pin-point bowling helped New Zealand A to a 21 run victory over South Africa A in the opening match of the Emerging Players Tournament in Brisbane.
New Zealand rode on the back of a breezy 62 run partnership between Dean Brownlie and Shanan Stewart to pile on 152 for eight after they were put into bat and Michael Bates and Luke Woodcock shared four wickets as South Africa could only manage 131 for six in reply.
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South African opener Jon-Jon Smuts got the run chase off to a bright start with 43 off 41 but when his wicket fell with the score of 79 New Zealand applied the brakes.
Colin Ingram managed 35 in the middle overs but they lacked the fire power to find the boundary once the run-rate climbed.
It was a slick New Zealand bowling and fielding performance, with two stumings and three catches in the six wicket to fall.
Bates’ and Woodcocks identical figures of 25 for two were the best while Brent Arnel snared one wicket and went for just 20 in his four overs.
Earlier, Brownlie’s half century and some big hitting from Stewart set up the New Zealand total.
New Zealand made a shaky start, losing both openers for single figure scores before Brownlie steaded the innings and then powered ahead with a fine 55 off 38 balls.
Fellow Cantabrian Stewart was not to be outdone, whacking 45 off 22, including three fours and three sixes.
The rest of the New Zealand line up were unable to continue on the as they lost their last five wickets for 31 runs but were still able to post a match winning total.
New Zealand A now take on the Australian Institute of Sport tomorrow.
