India ‘A’ inflict 3-0 whitewash
Ashok Menaria and Kedar Jadhav cracked half centuries to enable India ‘A’ inflict a 3-0 whitewash on New Zealand ‘A’ with a thrilling two-wicket victory in the third and final unofficial ODI match here on Thursday.
India completed the task with four balls to spare with Mandeep Singh playing a 27-ball unbeaten 37-run cameo towards the end. He hit three boundaries and a six during the all-important knock. Chasing a stiff 291-run target, the Indians suffered a top-order collapse before all-rounder Menaria scored a quickfire 69 off 52 balls that included two fours and eight sixes. He was involved in a brilliant 128-run fifth wicket stand off just 107 balls with Jadhav (57), which denied the Black Caps a consolation win.
A late counter-attack by Mandeep then made sure that the hosts won the match comfortably.
Having sealed the three-match ODI series already, India tested their bench strength on Thursday by giving a chance to spinner Jalaj Saxena and batsman Sanju Samson.Anton Devcich top-scored for New Zealand A with a 85-ball 66, studded with eight boundaries, while Corey J Anderson (59) and skipper Tom Latham (53).