The real value of A tours for New Zealand’s players is starting to show through, according to their coach on the trip to the United Arab Emirates, Heinrich Malan.
The New Zealand A series against Pakistan A finished with two drawn four-day fixtures, and they followed a 2-1 T20 series victory and a 3-0 loss in the 50-over rubber.
But much of the benefit of the trip, which followed one to India a year ago, comes in the lessons learnt by the players.
Central Districts coach Malan has no doubts of the merits of these tours.
''If you remember 12 months ago when we toured India, quite few things stood out in terms of how the players are understanding how to play in these conditions,’’ Malan said.
‘’If you look how we performed over the eight games there were definitely a lot of learnings having taken place over the last 12 months.
‘’Players are starting to work out what methods they want to use when they play in foreign conditions.’’
There were benefits in watching how the Pakistani players, who included several with test experience, went about their business.
Malan cited the examples of the tightness of their bowling and in the ability of their batsmen to rotate the strike as offering valuable pointers.
New Zealand did have Pakistan in trouble on occasions, notably in the final tour game at 120 for four on the opening day but were not able to cash in.
The draining experience of batting long periods in intense heat, with helmets drenched with perspiration, and being prepared to bat time, be patient and not fret if the runs weren't coming quickly were invaluable for the New Zealand players.
Pakistan's batsmen scored seven centuries across the eight matches to one by New Zealand, through Will Young in the third 50-over match.
Malan puts part of that down to sheer familiarity with the conditions.
''They don't get flustered when they can't score.
''Most of our guys got a start but it's the challenge of adapting to the conditions and also the heat.
''If we can kick on from those starts, hopefully it will lead on to scoring big hundreds.''
The big find of the tour was Wellington teenager Rachin Ravindra. He averaged 57.66, including two half centuries, in his first two first-class matches and bowled his left arm spin tidily too.
Scott Kuggeleijn's six wickets at 29.6 was the most impressive return statistically.
Young average 41.66 in the four-dayers, and 72 in the 50-over series. How much Pakistan relied on former test player Mohammed Rizwan in that rubber showed out in that apart from his 255 runs, with two tons, no other Pakistan player reached 100 runs over the series.
Opener Jeet Raval warmed up for the Black Caps three-test series coming up with a long innings of 97 at Abu Dhabi in the final tour match, while seamer Kyle Jamieson caught the eye over the tour, taking seven wickets at 30 apiece.
Many of the NZ A players will be involved in the upcoming visit from a strong India A squad, beginning with the first four-day fixture at Mount Maunganui's Bay Oval starting on Friday.
It will be another opportunity to further develop their game with the aim of striving for Black Caps selection.
More competitive A grade competition can only help that process.
