Mills shines as New Zealand A coast home
Kyle Mills broke the backbone of the Sri Lanka A batting line-up, as New Zealand A coasted to a 46-run win in the first match at Lincoln
Wisden Cricinfo staff
03-Apr-2004
Kyle Mills broke the backbone of the Sri Lanka A batting line-up, as New Zealand A coasted to a 46-run win in the first match at Lincoln. Chasing 225, the Sri Lankan batsmen couldn't stitch up any sizeable partnerships as Mills pegged them back with four crucial wickets. They were bowled out for 178, with Bruce Martin and Chris Harris cleaning up the tail.
The match was also noteworthy for the return of Shane Bond. Bond, who is recovering from a back injury, sent down nine overs, which included three no-balls and a wide, but couldn't pick up any wickets.
After winning the toss New Zealand A did not put up an imposing total, as they had done with regularity in the five-day games. Jamie How, the opener, anchored the innings with a steady 53, but wickets fell at regular intervals and the New Zealanders were shakily placed at 134 for 5. That was when Chris Harris and Gareth Hopkins put on 58 and lifted them to a competetive 224. In the end, it turned out to be a winning total.