New Zealand A slump to crushing defeat

A disastrous batting collapse has seen New Zealand A suffer a hefty loss at the Buchi Babu All India Invitation tournament in Chennai.

Chasing a target of 359 on day two of their second-round match against Combined Districts, New Zealand A were dismissed for just 157 – losing by 202 runs.

Aaron Redmond, with 47, and Neil Broom, 39, were the only batsmen to post notable scores, while a late stand of 23 from Brendon Diamanti went unsupported at the other end as he ran out of partners.

The New Zealanders had started the day solidly but slowly, with Redmond and BJ Watling posting 42 for the first wicket. Watling fell on 17, and captain Peter Fulton went for a duck four runs later, and NZA went to lunch on 85 for 2 in 32 overs – behind the asking rate but still in touch.

Redmond’s dismissal soon after lunch signalled the start of a rapid collapse, with three wickets falling for four runs. Broom held on for a while, compiling his 39 from 77 balls, and gaining some respite with a 20-run partnership with Diamanti.

Once Broom was gone the tail enders were unable to mount any significant challenge to the Districts attack. A last-gasp stand of 19 for the final wicket between Diamanti and Tim Southee provided brief resistance, but NZA were all out in the 61st over – out of the 90 available.

Chief architect of the New Zealanders’ demise was right arm off-spinner and Chennai Super Kings IPL squad member Suresh Kumar, who took four for 48.

New Zealand A play their third-round match against Baroda on Saturday and Sunday.