New Zealand vs Cricket Australia XI two-day tour match ends in draw

Canberra: New Zealand‘s two-day tour match with a Cricket Australia XI ended in a draw Sunday, with bowlers frustrated after just four wickets fell in 172 overs but batsmen welcoming invaluable practice. At stumps the Black Caps held a 43-run first innings lead ahead of next month’s opening Test against Australia in Brisbane. Test paceman Peter Siddle did not take a wicket but proved typically frugal by conceding just 34 off his 13 overs. Siddle is looking for more overs to press his claims before the opening Test at the Gabba on November 5. But CA XI coach Greg Blewett said the lack of bowling would not be an issue for him.

“Sids is very experienced now and he probably doesn’t need a whole lot of bowling. We all know about his control, we saw that in the last Test match in England.

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“It was more about giving him a roll out and I think his rhythm looked as good as it did over in England. I’m sure if he gets the opportunity, he’s going to really enjoy bowling in Brisbane and Perth,” Blewett said.

But Siddle’s case was not helped when fellow quick Josh Hazlewood was awarded player of the match in New South Wales’s domestic Cup final win over South Australia after his three for 28 on Sunday. Retired quick Ryan Harris believes selectors will stick with the seam attack of Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson.

New Zealand’s batsmen, meanwhile, got some valuable time in the middle — including skipper Brendon McCullum who struck 58 off 49 balls, including a trio of sixes, before retiring.

Kane Williamson (68), Hamish Rutherford (41), BJ Watling (41), Luke Ronchi (39) and Mark Craig (60) also retired after solid innings, while Doug Bracewell (15) and Matt Henry (19) finished not out.

Opener Martin Guptill was one of just two dismissals on Sunday, bowled for a duck by young quick Billy Stanlake (1 for 25), while Ross Taylor (16) was caught off Jason Behrendorff (1 for 31).

New Zealand batting coach Craig McMillan admitted the conditions were nothing like they expect during the Test series, but said there was still some value in the match and in Friday’s 102-run win against the PM’s XI. That included getting an early look at Siddle and Mitchell Marsh.

McMillan said it was highly likely the Black Caps’ line-up for the four-day clash with the CA XI in Blacktown starting Thursday would be very close to their first Test side.