Watling leads New Zealand A to 317

BJ Watling fell just short of a century in New Zealand A’s opening game of the Buchi Babu tournament in Chennai, India yesterday [Sunday 16 August].

Watling’s 97 was the top score of the day, which saw the New Zealanders compile 317 for 9 from its maximum 90 overs on day one of their two-day match against Andhra.

Opening the innings at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Watling and Jamie How put on 70 for the first wicket, before How went for 47. Watling then combined with Peter Fulton to add another 61 for the second, with Fulton scoring 40.

The middle order stalled against Andhra’s spinners, with four wickets falling for 43 runs, before Nathan McCullum, 57, and Kyle Mills, 42, took to the attack to put on 83 for the seventh wicket.

The New Zealanders will be looking to defend their total and take match points when Andhra bats today [Monday 17 August].

New Zealand A team: Watling, How, Fulton, Broom, Williamson, Hopkins, McCullum (N), Mills, Diamanti, Bond, Southee.

Short scorecard:
New Zealand A: 317 for 9 in 90 overs (B.J. Watling 97, Jamie How 47, Peter Fulton 40, Nathan McCullum 57, Kyle Mills 42) vs. Andhra.