Ryder’s century makes light work

A five wicket haul to Mark Gillespie and another Jesse Ryder century were the highlight performances of a comfortable New Zealand A win at Cazaly’s Stadium.

India A struggled from early in their innings, with Gillespie and McSkimming taking early wickets, but a strong innings from Gautam Ghambir held the top order together. Ghambir dominated the scoring in the first three partnerships of the innings, before he finally got some solid support from Badrinath. Both Ghambir and Badrinath managed half-centuries, but a crucial pair of wickets to off-spinner Nathan McCullum cut through the middle order, and Mark Gillespie’s final two spells demolished what was left of the India A batting. Gillespie removed Rohit Sharma in the 32nd over, and returned at the end of the innings to dismiss Jadeja, Badrinath and RP Singh to complete the innings. India A were all out with two balls remaining for 216, a total which the in-form New Zealand batting lineup made short work of.

Jesse Ryder has been in dominant form with the bat throughout the Top End Series, and his 114 off just 84 balls today ensured the chase was never in doubt. Ryder lost opening partner How in the first over of the innings, but dominated the scoring in a partnership of 86 with Ross Taylor. Captain Peter Fulton then supported Ryder through to his century and within sight of the target, before Ryder was the last man to go, stumped for 114. New Zealand A cruised past the Indian score with 7 wickets in hand and 15 overs remaining, and continue an impressive Top End Series so far.

India A 216 (49.4)
Gautam Ghambir 64 (76), Subramaniam Badrinath 63 (97)
Mark Gillespie 5-35 (9.4), Nathan McCullum 2-41 (10)

New Zealand A won by 7 wickets

New Zealand A 218-3 (34.1)
Jesse Ryder 114 (84), Peter Fulton 54* (57)
Rudra Pratap Singh 1-45 (8.1), Tejinder Pal Singh 1-29 (3)