Wednesday, March 12th, 2014

New Zealand Too Powerful For Worcestershire In World T20 Warm-Up

New Zealand Too Powerful For Worcestershire In World T20 Warm-Up

New Zealand warmed up for the forthcming ICC World Twenty20 and demonstrated that they will be a force to be reckoned with in Bangladesh as they defeated Worcestershire by eight wickets in Abu Dhabi.

Worcestershire won the toss and elected to bat on the main Zayed stadium ground and were quickly in trouble when Kohler-Cadmore (2), who had impressed earlier in the day against Derbyshire, was caught behind down the leg side.

Kervezee (0) was caught at mid on trying to hit Boult over the top and, when skipper Mitchell (8) was third out, Worcestershire had been reduced to 13-3.

Fell followed quickly, caught behind off Hira, and when Andrew was caught by Deucich of Anderson for 13, Worcestershire stood on 34-5 in the 11th over.

Cox soon departed, run out without scoring and then Choudhry was caught behind off his first ball.

Whiteley was bowled by Anderson for 16, Morris (1) was stumped by Ronchi for 1 off Nathan McCullum and, when Shantry was caught at short fine leg, Worcestershire were all at for 52.

The pick of the New Zealand bowlers were Boult (3-2), McCullum (2-12) and Anderson (2-14).

Guptill and Deucich opened the batting for New Zealand and the former made 29 from just 18 balls before being bowled by Morris with the score on 32.

Deucich was caught at short fine leg off Morris for 14 but the powerful Brendon McCullum, fresh from his recent triple hundred against India, hit Russell 100 metres into the stand over mid off as New Zealand reached their target of 53 in the sixth over.

The game continued for the full 20 overs to give both sides additional practice and New Zealand ended on 194-7 with McCullum making 51 from 30 balls and Munro 47 off 27.

Mitchell (3-16) and Morris (3-32) were the most successful Worcestershire bowlers.