India A complete 3-0 whitewash over New Zealand A with 2-wicket win in 3rd unofficial ODI

Mandeep Singh scored 37 from just 27 deliveries © IANS (File Photo)

Visakhapatnam: Sep 12, 2013

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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.

Earlier, opener 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) also hit half centuries each to contribute to the team’s total after India A asked them to bat.

The Indians were sloppy on the field on Thursday as they dropped two catches, including that of Anderson’s to allow the New Zealand post a huge total of 290 for nine.

Basant Mohanty (two for 39), Menaria (two for 45) and Jalaj Saxena (two for 60) picked up two wickets each for India A.

In reply, India lost four wickets for just 79 runs on the board in 19.2 overs, despite opener Robin Uthappa scoring a fine 50-ball 46 with the help of six fours and a six.

Skipper Chand, who led by example in the series, scoring 94 and 59 in the first two ODIs, failed on Thursday, getting out for just 11. Menaria walked into the middle after Uthappa and Sachin Baby (16) were dismissed in successive overs.

Brief scores:

New Zealand A 290 for 9 in 50 overs (Anton Devcich 66, Corey Anderson 59; Ashok Menaria 2 for 48) lost to India A 291/8 in 49.2 overs (Ashok Menaria 69, Kedar Jadhav 57; Mark Gillespie 3 for 43) by 2 wickets.