Improved bowling performance not enough for Emerging Players
New Zealand Emerging Players put up an improved showing with the ball in the second 50-over match of their four-way tournament in Brisbane today, but again fell short with the bat – losing to South Africa by 39 runs.
NZEP won the toss and put South Africa Emerging Players in to bat at the Redlands Cricket Club ground, and after a strong bowling effort dismissed the South Africans in the 49th over for 203.
Neil Wagner was the best of the NZEP bowlers, taking 3 for 37, while Tim Southee and
Colin de Grandhomme took two wickets apiece. Rilee Rossouw top scored for SAEP with 67, while Heino Kuhn chipped in with 44.
The NZEP top order was unable to get on top of the South African attack, at one stage slipping to 5 for 57. Anaru Kitchen (37) and Nick Beard put up some determined resistance and eventually helped their side through to a total of 164, all out in the 45th over.
NZEP manager Mark Greatbatch said he was pleased with the improved bowling performance in today’s game. “Our bowlers got into their stride early on in their spells and created pressure on the South African batters,” he said. “The intensity in the field was also of a very good standard.
“Unfortunately our batsmen have struggled early on in this tournament, through a lack of match play compared to the other teams and an inability to play the heavy ball on off stump and just outside.
“It was good to see Anaru Kitchen fight hard for his 37 runs off 53 balls, and Nick Beard was busy late in the order to add some respectability to the score.
“This young squad is learning what standard is required to play competitive and winning cricket at a level just below one day international cricket.”
The NZEP side plays its next game – another 50-over clash – tomorrow [Friday 24 July] against India at Sandgate.
FULL SCORECARD available at:
http://www.blackcaps.co.nz/content/scorecard/nzep-vs-rsaep-23-july.aspx
Cricket Australia tournament website:
http://www.cricket.com.au/default.aspx?s=emergingplayers09