3 Day Tour Match: New Zealand Invitational XI vs Cricketweb XI
@ Auckland
Cricketweb XI took to the paddock for the first time in over a year in their tour match against a strong New Zealand Invitational XI. With several spots in the Kiwis line up available a number of players were hoping for strong showings to push their claims. For the CWXI it was more about getting into the swing of things again after so long out of the game, however they also had a few spots in both the batting and bowling line up's up for grab so the match promised plenty for fans.
The touring Webheads won the toss and chose to bat in favourable conditions, there was a bit a dew around because of the early start and a small ammount of cloud cover gave the bowlers some confidence. However Cricketweb XI had a commanding first day and were in a good enough position to declare at their overnight total of 7/379. The star was no doubt Young batsman Will Kerr who all but sealed his spot in the test side with a brilliant 151, Hakon Mork also looked like the time off had done him plenty of favours as he hit a fluent 82. Yovich, Wagner and Hiini grabbed two wickets each as test hopeful Jeetan Patel went wicketless.
Greg Thomas then tore through the Kiwi's top order as he reduced them to 3/16 after 15 overs, Thomas finished with the outstanding figures of 6/77 from his 25 overs fellow test aspirant Travis Demeza also impressed with his 2/47 but easily could have had a couple more. Cricketweb XI captain Neil Pickup decided not to enforce the follow on despite holding a 175 runs first innings lead.
Cricketweb XI started their second innings hoping to get a bit more time in the middle before the first test and it started well with Dan Smith blazing 2 fours and 2 sixes in his brief 13 ball stay at the crease, he will no doubt be looking for some more discipline ahead of next weeks match. Hakon Mork again starred for the visitors this time falling just one run short of a century as he was out for 99. The Webheads declared with the score at 210 to give the bowlers a few more overs practice each leaving NZIXI the impossible task of 385 from 38 overs.
In an uneventful Fourth innings NZIXI finished 0/88 with all the bowlers seemingly happy enough to settle with their first innings work.
Cricketweb XI 7/dec/379
WA Kerr 151, H Mork 82, CR Butler 39, N Wagner 2/66, BC Hiini 2/70
New Zealand Invitational XI 224
CJ Nevin 62, PG Fulton 50, JA Yovich 45, GM Thomas 6/77, TJ Demeza 2/47
Cricketweb XI 4/dec/210
H Mork 99, DA Kearsley 40*, JA Yovich 2/43
New Zealand Invitational XI 0/88
MH Papps 44*, MD Bell 32*
Match Drawn
Man of the Match: WA Kerr
Had to put the scorecards as attachments as I haven't got the website logon details yet, will be getting them in the next 24 hours.