Broom century takes New Zealand A to opening win in Chennai

New Zealand A has opened its India campaign with a last-ball win over a Tamil Nadu Cricket Association XI in Chennai.

Chasing a target of 293 on the second day of the two-day warm-up match, New Zealand A made a strong start, with several of the top and middle order posting solid scores.

A century from Otago’s Neil Broom, 104, was the standout innings of the day – coming off 157 deliveries and including 10 fours and two sixes.

Openers Aaron Redmond and Jamie How posted 60 for the first wicket, with Redmond scoring a quick-fire 41 from 42 balls, including six fours and two sixes. How also went on to score 41.

Broom dominated the middle of the innings, combining with BJ Watling (33) for a fourth-wicket partnership of 58, and with Gareth Hopkins (22) putting on 79 for the sixth.

A minor collapse late in the innings saw four wickets fall for 42 runs, but the final pair of Kyle Mills and Brendon Diamanti saw the side through, with Diamanti hitting a four off the second to last ball of the day.

The New Zealand A side has another two-day warm-up match later this week, before the opening round of the Buchi Babu All India Invitation Tournament on Sunday and Monday.

Short scorecard:
Tamil Nadu Cricket Association XI: 293 all out in 87 overs (Babu 62, Venkataraman 51, Suryapprakash 50, Vignesh 32; McCullum (N) 5/85, Williamson 3/42)

New Zealand A: 294/9 in 89.5 overs (Broom 104, Redmond 41, How 41, Watling 33, Hopkins 22; Sivakumar 3/42, Shah 3/68)

Win to New Zealand A by one wicket

Full scorecard:
www.blackcaps.co.nz/content/scorecard/nza_v_tnca_10aug.aspx