Popli hammers out 78 in NZ President's XI debut

NICE KNOCK: Bay of Plenty's Bharat Popli has shown some good form with the bat, playing against Sri Lanka. PHOTO/JOHN BORREN

Less than a week after scoring his ninth century for the Bay of Plenty, Bharat Popli has scored 78 opening the batting for the New Zealand President's XI against Sri Lanka.

Popli got his first start for the New Zealand President's XI during a three-day, warm-up match against Sri Lanka in Queenstown.

Sri Lanka are building up to their first test against the Black Caps next week in Dunedin.

The three-day, warm-up fixture started on Thursday but rain delayed the opening day of play. Yesterday, Sri Lanka were removed for 193 before the New Zealand XI were put in to bat. Popli and Ben Smith (81) put on 179 runs for the first wicket, before both getting out in quick succession, to help the home side build a good lead by the end of the day.

Popli bases himself in both Tauranga and Auckland, but plays club cricket for Rotorua's Bay of Plenty Indian Sports whenever he gets the chance.

Popli, 25, talking to the Rotorua Daily Post earlier this week, said his philosophy when it comes to batting was to try and keep things simple, and the rest will fall into place.

"I try and keep it as simple as I can," he said. "I don't try set too many goals, I just try and score as many runs as I can."

Popli is contracted with the Northern Knights and plays in their Plunket Shield team. He said he had done a lot of work with his batting over the winter.

"I worked pretty hard over the winter to work out a few technical issues," he said. "I spent a lot of time with Matt Horne, from the Knights, training with him up in Auckland." Bay of Plenty's Joe Carter is also in the New Zealand President's XI. He scored 18 yesterday batting at number three.