New Zealand A defeat Australia A in battle of generation next
New Zealand A has fought back from a disastrous first-innings collapse to defeat Australia A by 225 runs at Brisbane’s Allan Border Field, with the hosts crumbling on day four of the topsy-turvy contest.
Chasing a 353-run target for victory, Australia A was rolled for 127 in just 40 overs on Thursday, with Kiwi centurion Scott Kuggeleijn taking four wickets.
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New Zealand A quick Sean Solia ripped through the Australian middle order before lunch, knocking over Nathan McSweeney, Campbell Kellaway and Jimmy Pierson in a frantic collapse of 3-16.
Australia A opener Cameron Bancroft was the only player who reached 20 in the second innings, trapped on the pads by Kuggeleijn in the afternoon session for 47.
Earlier in the match, the tourists were staring down the barrel of a heavy defeat after a pitiful first-innings performance, bowled out for 147 before tea on day one. But an all-round masterclass from Kuggeleijn, who claimed a five-wicket haul in the first innings and scored an unbeaten century on Wednesday, put New Zealand in a dominant position at stumps on day three.
Resuming day four at 1-31, Australia desperately needed its top order to weather the storm, but nobody could form a partnership with Bancroft. Australia A were also without all-rounder Joel Paris, who sustained a low-grade hamstring strain on day three.
Bancroft will be hoping to impress in the second match against the Kiwis with the classy West Australian one of a number of batsmen looming as David Warner’s replacement in the Australian Test team.
Australia A will face New Zealand A in another four-day contest again at Great Barrier Reef Arena next week for a day-night contest, which gets underway on Monday.
The Australia A v New Zealand A clash marked the first match of the season in Australia, with the first Shield match of 2023 beginning on October 3.
