New Zealand A tour of India 2013

[vishalvirsingh]

In IPL many average bowlers have also achieved success SOMETIMES......consistency is the key....

[Chandan]

2nd ONE DAYER http://goo.gl/ZWBTnn India A take series after Menaria heroics Wisden India staff | Visakhapatnam | 10 September 2013 Ashok Menaria reaped the rewards of accurate bowling, with 5 for 38 in ten overs. © BCCI India A vs New Zealand A Scorecard Ashok Menaria picked up five wickets with his occasional left-arm spin, and then finished things off with a bright innings, starring in another dominating win by India A against New Zealand A at the ACA-VDCA Stadium on Tuesday (September 10). Menaria’s 5 for 38 resulted in New Zealand A folding for just 216 in 47.2 overs. Unmukt Chand was then at the forefront of another strong batting performance, stroking a 71-ball 59 to pilot the chase along with Mandeep Singh (59 off 69), as India A completed a six-wicket win with 67 balls to spare. The win gave India A an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. New Zealand A’s innings was devoid of any direction, and wickets fell every time the batsmen tried to build a partnership. Among the top-order, only Luke Ronchi (34) and Carl Cachopa (80) offered any resistance on a pitch that showed no real signs of breaking up even with the amount of cricket played on it recently. After Dhawal Kulkarni removed the openers by the tenth over, New Zealand A went into consolidation mode, trying to bide their time rather than take risks. But as the scoring rate dipped, the batsmen fell in their quest to break free, with Sandeep Sharma’s full-length dive to his left to dismiss Colin Munro (4) being the highlight of India A’s efforts on the field. With the batsmen gifting wickets away, the India A bowlers didn’t particularly need any assistance from the surface. At 120 for 5 in the 30th over, New Zealand A were already in danger of not lasting their full quota of overs. It took a disciplined 67-run stand for the sixth wicket between Cachopa (80) and Andrew Ellis (34), the captain, to restore some stability. However, the last five wickets fell for 29 runs as New Zealand A ended with a sub-par total. Menaria, who did the bulk of the damage, didn’t threaten with big turn, but kept things accurate and reaped the rewards. “My job was to just contain the batsmen,” said Menaria. “I didn’t want to experiment much because it was a good batting wicket. I just wanted to maintain pressure from my end and remain accurate. It just happened that I got wickets today, mainly due to a few reckless shots they played.” India A’s reply wasn’t a rollicking one with both Robin Uthappa (12) and Chand being given early reprieves. Uthappa was dropped by Tom Latham at second slip off Mark Gillespie in the very first over while Chand was let off while on 10 by Ellis. But New Zealand A didn’t have to wait long to dismiss Uthappa, who drove half-heartedly to cover. Mark Gillespie had his second wicket when Aditya Tare (7) tried to force a rising ball only to find the edge through to the wicketkeeper. At that stage, India A were 44 for 2 in the ninth over with two fired up seamers operating in tandem. Adam Milne, who was unlucky not to have Chand’s wicket, bowled with a lot of fire in his first spell, going past the outside edge on a number of occasions before hitting Chand on the head with a quick bouncer. While Chand showed signs of discomfort, especially outside the off stump, he was quick to capitalise on anything short. He pulled Milne disdainfully for two huge sixes, one over midwicket and another over deep backward square-leg. Mandeep played himself in and built a steady partnership with Chand that was based on milking the ones and twos, with the odd boundary thrown in. The pair had added 89 runs before Chand’s cheekiness got the better of him. Chand played on while attempting to run the ball down to third man while Mandeep was bowled, playing across the line, to give New Zealand A a sniff of a chance. However, Kedar Jadhav (30 not out) and Menaria (37 not out) ensured there were no surprises in store, batting sensibly to help India A cruise home in style.

[Chandan]

PREVIEW http://goo.gl/qWp3NM Samson, Saxena likely to get a chance Wisden India staff | Visakhapatnam | 11 September 2013 Teams approach dead rubbers in different ways. With the three-match one-day series in the bag, India A are likely to try and give opportunities to players who have missed out so far when they play New Zealand A in the final one-dayer at ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Thursday (September 12). New Zealand, meanwhile, could be more keen to put their best XI on the field to try and seal a consolation win before leaving for Sri Lanka. India A have been the superior side by a distance in the two matches so far and haven’t really been tested. New Zealand A have failed to put together solid batting performances and India A have cruised home with plenty of overs to spare in both games. And the Indian bowlers, particularly the part-time spinners, have played a significant part in the victories. Ahead of the final match, Sanjay Bangar, the India A coach, spelt out the need to adopt different tactics, including to try and bat first and maybe even shuffling the batting order. Sanju Samson and Jalaj Saxena are the only two players in the 14-member India A squad who haven’t played a game. “Most definitely we’ll give them a chance,” said Bangar. “The idea is to ensure everyone’s had an opportunity because that is the very basis of having such tournaments.” Robin Uthappa and Unmukt Chand are likely continue at the top of the batting order, especially considering that they are also a part of the India A squad for the upcoming limited-overs series against West Indies A. That could mean Samson slotting in for Aditya Tare and Saxena replacing Rahul Sharma. And with Mandeep Singh, Kedar Jadhav and Ashok Menaria having spent decent time in the middle, Sachin Baby could also get a promotion in the batting order. New Zealand A’s foremost priority would be to address the issue of inconsistency. With partnerships not really taking shape at the top, the middle order has often been left to repair the innings. They’ve tried to mix things up in the playing XI, but that hasn’t brought about any change in fortune. Despite their mediocre show though, New Zealand A have reason to be happy with Adam Milne’s performances so far. Milne, the medium pacer, has looked sharp and has impressed with his ability to surprise the batsmen with disconcerting bounce. And with Doug Bracewell, who was rested after being hit on the ribs during a net session, set to return, their attack might be a tough one for the Indians to negotiate. Teams (from) India A: Unmukt Chand (capt), Robin Uthappa, Aditya Tare (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Mandeep Singh, Ashok Menaria, Sanju Samson (wk), Sachin Baby, Dhawal Kulkarni, Basant Mohanty, Sandeep Sharma, Shrikant Wagh, Rahul Sharma, Jalaj Saxena. New Zealand A: Andrew Ellis (capt), Tom Latham, Luke Ronchi (wk), Matt Henry, Anton Devcich, Colin Munro, Scott Kuggeleijn, Corey Anderson, Carl Cachopa, Todd Astle, Mark Gillespie, Ish Sodhi, Doug Bracewell, Daryl Mitchell, Adam Milne.

[Chandan]

3rd ODI http://goo.gl/4MNlc1 Batsmen lead India A to clean sweep Wisden India staff | Visakhapatnam | 12 September 2013 Mandeep Singh took charge towards the end of the innings, scoring a 27-ball 37, to take India A to a narrow two-wicket win with four balls to spare. © BCCI Scorecard: India A vs New Zealand A, 3rd 50-over match New Zealand A were blown away by Ashok Menaria’s whirlwind 50-ball 69 that set the tone for India A’s fightback and an eventual two-wicket win with four balls to spare in the third and final one-day match at the ACA-VDCA Stadium on Thursday (September 12). New Zealand A had dominated proceedings for a majority of the game, but a resilient 47-run stand for the eighth wicket between Mandeep Singh (37 not out off 27) and Rahul Sharma (20 off 22), with the light fading and tempers charged, ensured India A won and completed a 3-0 sweep of the series. New Zealand A came up with their best batting performance of the series to post an imposing 290 for 9 after being sent in to bat. Anton Devcich laid the foundation with an 85-ball 66, but it was Corey Anderson (59 off 45) and Tom Latham (53 off 48) who provided the impetus with an enterprising 91-run stand for the fourth wicket. New Zealand A might have entertained thoughts of a 300-plus score then, but a familiar middle-order slump ensued before Scott Kuggeleijn (29) and Todd Astle (27) helped them end the innings on a high. Menaria picked up the important wickets of Devcich and Latham, ending with 2 for 45 in eight overs. The India A batsmen weren’t allowed to get away at the start of the innings as Mark Gillespie and Doug Bracewell maintained a stranglehold. The frustration of being tied down consumed Unmukt Chand (11), as he nicked one to the wicketkeeper while trying to play an upper-cut. Two overs later, Sanju Samson, playing his first game of the series, guided a wide delivery into the hands of third man as New Zealand A sensed an opportunity. Robin Uthappa, who was unusually sedate to begin with, soon regained his touch by playing a couple of wristy flicks. He quickly moved on to 46 before being done in by an umpiring error. Uthappa, who was beaten while attempting a drive off a slower delivery from Corey Anderson, was given out even as replays suggested there was no edge. When Sachin Baby was bowled around his legs attempting a sweep of Ish Sodhi, India A were in trouble at 79 for 4 in 19.4 overs. That was when Menaria and Kedhar Jadhav brought India A storming back into the match with a 128-run stand off just 107 balls, changing the complexion of the game. What looked like a nonchalant march towards victory for New Zealand A was halted by Menaria, who smashed three sixes and a boundary off Todd Astle to break the shackles in the 25th over. That was the trigger India A needed as Menaria and Jadhav took full charge of the chase thereafter. Along the way, the two were helped by some generosity from the New Zealanders, who dropped Jadhav twice during his knock of 57 (61 balls). The spinners, in particular, dished out a number of loose deliveries that were put away. With the runs bleeding at one end, New Zealand A went on the defensive instead of looking for wickets. Jadhav hit a couple of sixes off Ish Sodhi, the leg-spinner, and then changed gears and played second fiddle to Menaria, who looked in a bludgeoning mood. Menaria smashed six sixes and two fours to bring up his fifty off just 25 balls as the asking rate, which had spiralled close to eight runs-per-over at one stage, was quickly brought under control. The next seven overs produced 72 runs as the pressure on the India A batsmen eased, and what had looked like a lost cause was suddenly brought to life in an exhilarating 40-minute passage of play. But there were a few twists still in store as Menaria and Jadhav perished in quick succession to once again leave the match in the balance. Jadhav was run out at the bowler’s end by Devich’s direct hit from backward point while Menaria top-edged a wild slog to third man three balls later, as India A slipped from 207 for 4 to 207 for 6 in the 38th over. Jalaj Saxena contributed a valuable 19 before slashing at a wide delivery to perish at a crucial stage, with India A 242 for 7 in 43.1 overs. With 49 needed, Mandeep took charge while Rahul Sharma threw his bat around to bring the equation down to 25 off the last three overs. Mandeep then pounced on Kuggeleijn’s military medium-pace, smashing two fours and a six to collect 18 runs off the 48th over, taking India A within touching distance of the target. While Rahul Sharma perished, his Punjab team-mates – Mandeep and Sandeep Sharma – took the team home in a tense finish to consign New Zealand A to a third successive loss. ------------------------------------------------------------------ http://goo.gl/GMaFbC This series has given me confidence: Menaria Wisden India staff | Visakhapatnam | 12 September 2013 The reference to Yuvraj invites a big smile but when you put his performances in perspective, there is a better understanding of Menaria, the cricketer.. © BCCI There are shades of Yuvraj Singh in every aspect of Ashok Menaria’s game. Whether it’s his free-stroking batting, teasing left-arm spin, or even the way he approaches the game. The reference to Yuvraj invites a big smile but when you put his performances in perspective, there is a better understanding of Menaria, the cricketer. “Many people say that I resemble Yuvi paaji on the field, but I don’t try to copy him,” said Menaria on Thursday (September 12), after playing the lead role in India A’s 3-0 sweep of New Zealand A in Visakhapatnam. “I had a groin surgery early in my career and after that, there was a slight tilt in my body, so it appears as if I resemble him in the way I walk. But I would feel happier if people compare our performances, more than just the appearance or mannerisms.” Menaria walked the talk too. He was the sixth highest run-scorer in the one-day series, and comfortably the highest wicket-taker. After a duck in his first outing, he stroked 106 runs in the next two matches at considerably quicker than a run-a-ball. He was also India A’s secret weapon with the ball. Menaria picked up ten wickets in the three games, including a five-wicket haul in the second match. But his most notable performance came in the third one-dayer on Thursday, after India A had been reduced to 79 for 4 in the 20th over while chasing New Zealand A’s 290 for 9. There was a stamp of authority to Menaria’s batting, as he smashed his way to eight sixes and two fours in a 50-ball 69 to launch a rearguard action with Kedar Jadhav that paved the way for a tense two-wicket win. “It was a two-paced wicket and wasn’t easy to score on. I knew it wasn’t a wicket where we could just hang around,” explained Menaria, adding that his partnership with Jadhav was vital. “There was considerable pressure on us because, in some ways, we were the last recognised pair. I didn’t have an option but to take on the spinners, and thankfully, it worked well for me.” After having done the hard work, Menaria let go of an opportunity to take the team home by playing a wild slog across the line to be caught at third man. “I was extremely disappointed to have thrown it away despite having given momentum to the side,” he said. “If you want to be a big player, you have got to be a finisher. That is one thing which I learnt from this innings. But when I look back, I’m pretty satisfied with the way I’ve played. This series has given me a lot of confidence with regard to my bowling, batting and fielding.” The performance couldn’t have come at a better time for Menaria, who is a part of the Rajasthan Royals squad in the Champions League Twenty20 that begins next week. “My job is to focus on consistency from now on,” said Menaria, who will attend a week-long conditioning camp in Jaipur ahead of Rajasthan’s opening match against Mumbai Indians on September 21. “I’m looking forward to it,” said Menaria of his upcoming stint. “The dressing room has some wonderful players and I’ve learnt a lot from people like Rahul bhai (Dravid). He is a legend and I’m blessed to be sharing the dressing room with a man who has scored tens of thousands of runs in international cricket. I’ve never been short of advice whenever he’s been around, and I hope I can learn a lot more from him in the coming days.”