Trans-Tasman rivalry came to Mackay last week with the Australia A and New Zealand A cricket teams sharing the international spoils at Great Barrier Reef Arena.
After wrapping up the four-day series 2-0, the Black Caps went into last Sunday’s one day international brimming with confidence – but couldn’t stop a strengthened Australian side from posting a five-wicket victory.
Western Australian hot shot Ashton Turner top scored with an unbeaten 56 as the home team eclipsed the Kiwis’ total of 169 to strike the first blow in the three match limited overs series.
Turner, who was part of Australia’s triumphant Twenty 20 squad that swept South Africa 3-0 in their recent series, shared an unbroken stand of 65 with skipper Will Sutherland (34 not out) for the sixth wicket.
Twenty-six-year-old opener Caleb Jewell (29) and young gun Oliver Davies (20 off 15 balls) also chipped in with dashing knocks in Australia’s successful run chase.
Earlier pace ace Gurinder Sandhu bagged an impressive haul of 5-27 off nine overs to wreck the New Zealand top order.
Sandhu removed number three Dean Foxcroft (14), skipper Tom Bruce (0), Leo Carter (6) and Josh Clarkson (2) to have the incredible bowling figures of 4-1 and later 5-9 when he dismissed opener Nick Kelly for 52.
Keeper-batsman Cam Fletcher (31) and all-rounder Scott Kuggeleijn (29) also produced enterprising knocks for New Zealand.
Ashes Test spinner Matthew Kuhnemann grabbed 2-36 in his ten over spell.
Seamer Michael Rae was the pick of the Kiwi bowlers with figures of 3-42.
New Zealand A drew first blood in the four-day series with a 225-run victory in Brisbane – anchored by Kuggeleijn’s 85-ball ton - before clinching the pink ball ‘test’ in Mackay by 68 runs.
The Black Caps posted a total of 277 in the first innings with Kelly top scoring with 64 and Henry Cooper and Mitchell Hay both registering 39 runs.
Quicks Mitchell Perry (4-41 off 15 overs) and Liam Hatcher (4-77 off 17) were the pick of the Aussie bowlers.
A blazing 105 by keeper Josh Philippe – his third in first class cricket – and half centuries by Nathan McSweeney (56) and Ben Dwarshuis (50) were highlights of Australia’s total of 275.
Inspired by an unbeaten 105 by skipper Bruce and half centuries by Sean Solia (62) and Foxcroft (53) in their second innings, the Black Caps registered 299 with Hatcher (4-92 off 23 overs) and Perry (3-58 off 20) again amongst the wickets.
Australia A fell short in their run chase for victory – despite a superb 131 by Jewell who cracked two sixes and 17 boundaries in his 169-ball knock.
The Kiwi bowling unit were best served by Kuggeleijn (3-50 off 16), paceman Will O’Rourke (3-64 off 15), Solia (2-27 off seven) and Jacob Duffy (2-65 off 15).
Australia A lead the limited overs fixtures 1-0 and complete the series with two matches in Brisbane.
Mayor Greg Williamson performed the coin toss for the ODI on Sunday
