A classy century from in-form opener Peter Ingram set New Zealand A up for a 35-run win over England A in their first one-day match in Palmerston North yesterday.
Sent in by England, New Zealand A racked up an impressive 373 for six at Fitzherbert Park, with Ingram's 135 providing
the backbone of the innings. In reply England A were all out for 338 in 48.1 overs.
Although the England bowlers tasted early success - New Zealand were 51 for two after 12 overs - Ingram anchored a series of partnerships
His century came off 108 balls, and he opened up soon after to stroke 135 off 129 balls, including 15 fours and a six.
Essex all-rounder Graham Napier, who turned out for Wellington this summer, was the best of the England bowlers with figures of 3-74 off his 10 overs.
Napier was in devastating form with the bat, belting 77 off 41 balls in the middle order and offering valuable support to Lance Trott, who fell six runs short of his century in the 41st over.
Michael Mason and Brendon Diamanti picked up six wickets between them for New Zealand A.
The teams drew both their four-day matches, and play a second one-day match in Palmerston North on Monday. They will also play a Twenty20 match in New Plymouth on Thursday.
New Zealand A 373 for six (P Ingram 135, S Stewart 59, N McCullum 50no, B Diamanti 39no, J Marshall 34; G Napier 3-74, R Joseph 2-89) England A 338 for nine off 48 overs (R Key 44, L Trott 94, E Morgan 74, Napier 77; M Mason 3-61, Diamanti 3-74). New Zealand A win by 35 runs.
