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India booked themselves a place in the final of the Emerging Players 2009 tournament with a five-wicket win over New Zealand Emerging Players in their 50-over game at Redlands in Brisbane.
NZEP got off to a flying start with Guptill and de Grandhomme taking advantage of some wayward new ball bowling, scoring 46 off 37 balls. However the early momentum was stalled by the loss of three wickets in the space of seven overs.
BJ Watling, batting at number four, got the innings back on track and was able to rotate the strike well and keep the score moving under pressure, despite wickets falling at the other end. He featured in two valuable partnerships of 87 with Tarun Nethula, and an unbroken 48 with Hamish Bennett.
New Zealand finished on 246/9 after 50 overs, with Watling unbeaten on 94 from 114 balls.
India's batting line up scored consistently during their run chase, with ODI star Virat Kohli scoring freely, reaching 92 off 86 deliveries. He was well supported by captain Subramaniam Badrinath who scored 81 not out.
Lance Shaw was economical for NZEP with 1/38 off nine overs, while Tarun Nethula bowled better than his 1/64 off 10 overs suggested - and could have collected further wickets with his accurate leg spinners. Chris Martin, drafted in during preparation for the BLACKCAPS' Sri Lanka tour, also picked up a wicket.
The New Zealanders fielded well, creating two run outs and producing probably their best fielding display of the tournament.
New Zealand's final match in the tournament will be the play-off for third and fourth against the Australian Institute of Sport on Saturday. India now go on to the final, also on Saturday where they will meet South Africa, who beat the Australian side by 183 runs in today's other game.
