Date:19/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/19/stories/2008091957231800.htm

Sport - Cricket

Teams arrive

CHENNAI: The Indian, Australian, and New Zealand ‘A’ sides arrived in the city on Thursday afternoon for the concluding leg of the triangular one-day cricket series to be played next week.

The three teams, which feature several internationals including Dinesh Karthik, Suresh Raina, Shaun Tait, David Hussey, James Marshall and Peter Fulton among others, have each registered four points after the first stage in Hyderabad. The sides played each other once, with the results arranging themselves in neat symmetry: New Zealand ‘A’ defeated Australia ‘A’, which defeated India ‘A’, which in turn defeated New Zealand ‘A’.

The second phase comprises another round of league matches before the final, all of which will be played here at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.

India ‘A’ will take on New Zealand ‘A’ on Sunday, before Australia ‘A’ and New Zealand ‘A’ lock horns on Monday. Next Wednesday will see India ‘A’ and Australia ‘A’ contest the last league match. The top two sides will play Friday’s final.

The triangular series will be followed by two four-day matches between India ‘A’ and New Zealand ‘A’ at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.