Fulton leads NZ A to easy win

A tight bowling display was backed up by excellent innings by Peter Fulton and Ross Taylor as New Zealand A cruised to an emphatic win over Queensland at Cazaly’s Stadium today.

Although the home side started brightly, reaching 76 inside the first nine overs, they lost regular wickets and suffered a loss of momentum with each. The introduction of Mark Orchard to the attack saw the match swing entirely in New Zealand A’s favour as his four overs produced just 20 runs and saw the wickets of the two top scorers fall, Nathan Reardon for 34 from just 21 balls and Clinton Perren for 47 from 40. Perren cleared the boundary on four occasions and was threatening to cause even more damage before being clean bowled.

In the end the Queenslanders managed only 138-6 from their 20 overs, and although a good start by the bowlers saw New Zealand A reduced to 18-2 early on, it was a total that never looked like being anywhere near enough.

A 102-run partnership between ODI incumbents Fulton and Taylor put the result beyond any doubt. Fulton scored a brilliant 64 from 43 deliveries, while Taylor played an excellent supporting role in remaining 48 not out when the winning runs were scored.

The target was reached with the greatest of ease, having lost just 4 wickets and with 11 balls to spare. New Zealand A’s next match in the Top End Series is played at the same venue against India A tomorrow.

Queensland XI 138-6
Clinton Perren 47, Nathan Reardon 34
Mark Orchard 2-20, Mark Gillespie 1-21

New Zealand A 139-4
Peter Fulton 64, Ross Taylor 48 no
Grant Sullivan 2-16, Michael Kasprowicz 1-20

New Zealand won by 6 wickets

Player of the Match: Peter Fulton – 64 (43)