Kiwis through to quarterfinals

By Our Sports Reporter

HYDERABAD, SEPT. 8. Denied serious match-practice in their first two games the Kiwis moved into top gear and served a warning to the other teams in the fray. New Zealand `A' notched up its second consecutive win, defeating Associated Banks by 105 runs, and entered the quarterfinals of the Coromandel King Moin-ud- Dowla Gold Cup cricket tournament at the Lal Bahadur Stadium here on Saturday

The New Zealanders put up a professional display to outsmart Banks in all departments. They first posted a challenging 275 for seven on a perfect batting strip and then demonstrated how quality bowling can make a difference even on such a wicket. The Kiwis bundled out the Banks team for 170.

Mathew Horne, the 29-Test `veteran' in the side, was the pick. He not only played clean cricketing shots but also improvised against the slow bowlers - stepping out nonchalantly for inside- out drives.

Horne (78, 98b, 7x4) along with H. Marshall (47, 51b, 1x4, 1x6) checked the rival team after suffering an early setback - losing wicketkeeper-batsman C. Nevin (21) who was deceived by a slower one from Narinderpal Singh. What was most appealing during their stand was the confidence with which they batted.

Captain Mathew Bell (36, 40b, 1x4) continued that trend with a typically aggressive knock. When they were at the crease, runs were always there for the asking.

Narinderpal Singh (two for 48) and left-arm spinner R. Sridhar (two for 44) were the most successful bowlers for the Banks team.

Banks though was never in the race. The flamboyant Daniel Manohar (8) edged an away going delivery from Mills after two exquisite square-drives and was caught behind. His partner V. Suresh's (17) attempted loft went straight to mid-on again off the bowling of Mills.

Pankaj Dharmani (3) was Mills third victim. He was surprised by the extra bounce and saw his thick edge fly straight to Oram at deep gully. Both S. Bond and Mills (three for 22) bowled an accurate spell and also made the odd ball kick off disconcertingly. For youngsters watching them it would have been a good study on how to use the bowling crease.

When Banks slumped to 98 for five in the 23rd over with B. Akhil (39, 64b, 3x4) hitting back straight to the leg- spinner, Walker, it was all over.

Off-spinner Wiseman (one for 32) and Walker (two for 22) looked far more menacing thanks to the indecision of the batsmen. There were confused as to attack or defend. Ultimately they did neither and caved in with the fielders too not giving them any freedom to take easy singles.

Though Narinderpal Singh (23, 3x4) hit the ball around for a while it was too late to change the course of the match. His end too was predictable. He moved away to play an ambitious shot only to see his stumps knocked back by Youvich. R. Sridhar's stumps were re-arranged by medium-pacer J. Oram to signal the end of Banks innings at 170 in 40.5 overs.

lThe scores: New Zealand `A' 275 for seven in 50 overs (Mathew Horne 78, H. Marshall 47, Mathew Bell 36) bt Associated Banks 170 in 40.5 overs (B. Akhil 39, Mills three for 32, J. Oram three for 13).

At NFC: Mumbai 174 in 43.1 overs (Paul Valthathy 57, D. Vasu three for 37, Dinesh Mongia three for 18) lost to Chemplast 175 for four in 36.2 overs (Jinju Joseph 42, Badrinath 63, Dinesh Mongia 43).

At HMWWSB: HCA President's XI 94 in 42.3 overs (Shahabuddin three for 20) lost to Sical 96 for three in 18.2 overs (Lokesh 44 not out).

At AOC: Karnataka 251 for five (Aditya Mishra 70, K.M. Aiyappa 48, Rajasekhar Shanbal 54 not out) bt IOC 236 (Wasim Jaffer 85, Mayur Kadrekar 31, Mandhar Phadke 56, Afan Sheriff four for 47).

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