A high class bowling display from India. CREDIT: 2017©IBC/Getty Images

BLACKCAPS fall to India

Posted Sunday, 28 May, 2017 in Match Reports

India has beaten the BLACKCAPS by 45 runs on the Duckworth Lewis method in this morning's ICC Champions Trophy warm-up match at The Oval.

Scorecard

After captain Kane Williamson won the toss and elected to bat, opener Luke Ronchi belted a quick fire 66, but he was short on support.

Jimmy Neesham (46*) offered some rearguard fight and put on 23 for the last wicket with Trent Boult to get the BLACKCAPS up to 189.

The BLACKCAPS bowlers did their best with a small total, claiming three wickets and creating several other chances, but a polished 50 by Virat Kohli ensured his side were always in control of the chase.

The BLACKCAPS are on the road to Birmingham tomorrow to prepare for Tuesday's final warm-up match against Sri Lanka at Edgaston.

Agressive start
Openers Martin Guptill and Luke Ronchi took the Indians on up front and the scoreboard rocketed to 20 after just two overs. Despite Guptill falling two balls later, Ronchi would continue to pepper the boundaries keeping the early run rate consistently up around the seven runs per over mark.

Double blow
While Ronchi was taking the attack to the Indians, the news wasn’t so good from the other end. Indian paceman Mohammed Shami taking the edge of Kane Williamson (8) and then Neil Broom in consecutive deliveries.

Mohammed Shami claimed 3-47 as the BLACKCAPS were dismissed for 189. CREDIT: 2017©IBC/Getty Images

Ronchi Blazes Away
As his partners came and went, Ronchi continued to be aggressive. He raised his 50 in just 42 balls and plundered his way to 66 before being undone by the wily spin off Ravindra Jadeja.

Opener Luke Ronchi struck six fours and two sixes his 66 off 63 balls. CREDIT: 2017©IBC/Getty Images

Trouble
When Ronchi departed at 110-5, the BLACKCAPS were teetering with their opponents circling. The spin twins of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin stifled the middle order and wickets fell at regular intervals. When Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned to remove Tim Southee the scoreboard read 166-9…

CREDIT: 2017©IBC/Getty Images

Jimmy Digs In
Left hander Jimmy Neesham (46*) showed plenty of composure while wickets fell around him. He used his feet expertly to the spinners and played positively in a run-a-ball 46. Unfortunately he would run out of partners as Kumar joined Shami with three wickets each - BLACKCAPS all out for 189.

Bumped Out
Tim Southee bowled with good pace in his opening spell and after finding a few edges, he claimed the first wicket in the fifth over. A pin point bouncer to Ajinkya Rahane saw the little right hander hook the ball straight to Trent Boult at fine leg. 

Runs Post Lunch
Resuming after the break at 30-1, Shikhar Dhawan (40) and Kohli put together a composed 68 run partnership much to the delight of their delirious fans. They were at times well tested by the Kiwi pace attack, but ultimately guided their side within 100 runs of the target and away from any danger of losing the match.

King Kohli
The Indian maestro was in imperious touch as he peeled off a run-a-ball half century. He drove down the grounds expertly and latched onto any width. Was dropped twice, but still looks in dangerous touch ahead of another world tournament.

Then the rain...

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