Batting practice for BLACKCAPS as match ends in draw

The BLACKCAPS batting line up has had a useful but unspectacular workout ahead of the first Test, as the team’s second warm-up game against a Sri Lanka Development XI ended in an inevitable draw at Colombo today [Friday].

Opener Tim McIntosh spent valuable time at the wicket for a steady 43, and Ross Taylor was the top scorer, with 58, as the New Zealanders batted most of the day to reach 240 for 6.

The BLACKCAPS made short work of the Sri Lanka side’s innings in the opening session, taking the final wicket in the fourth over of the day – the home side all out for 330, giving them a lead of 33.

Looking to make the most of a day’s batting practice, the tourists lost Martin Guptill for 20 in the fifth over but settled as McIntosh and Daniel Flynn put on 45 for the second wicket. Craig Cumming managed only six in a short stay at the crease, before McIntosh and Taylor shared a solid 58 for the fourth wicket.

After Taylor and Brendon McCullum (20) went, Jacob Oram (35 n.o.) and Daniel Vettori (21 n.o.) combined for a solid 55 to close the day’s play.

The BLACKCAPS travel to Galle over the weekend, with the opening Test against Sri Lanka starting on Tuesday.

Short scorecard:
New Zealand First innings: 297 all out in 93.3 overs (Taylor 75, Patel 72, Guptill 54, Oram 42; Prasanna 3/66, Prasad 2/42, Fernando 2/39)

Second innings: 240/6 in 70 overs (Taylor 58, McIntosh 43, Oram 35; Prasad 2/28, Randiv 2/59, Prasanna 2/52)
Sri Lanka Development XI: 324/9 in 83 overs (Chandimal 109, Prasad 73, Dilshan 68, Mendis 26; Patel 3/81, Martin 2/34, O’Brien 2/52, Vettori 2/87)

Match drawn

FULL SCORECARD:
www.blackcaps.co.nz/content/scorecard/slc_dev_v_blackcaps_14augv2.aspx