Cricket: Broom sweeps to brink of double ton

Neil Broom. Photo / Getty Images

A surprise inclusion in New Zealand Cricket's list of contracted players for the 2011-12 season, Neil Broom partially justified his selection by plundering 197 against the Australian Institute of Sport in Brisbane yesterday.

Broom's belligerent knock, which came from just 187 deliveries and included a stunning 22 boundaries and 10 sixes, enabled New Zealand A to overhaul the AIS's first innings of 304 for five.

Resuming day two of the Emerging Players tournament three-day match at 14 for one, NZA lost former test batsman Daniel Flynn early for 13 before opener Brad Wilson (39) and Broom added 81 for the third wicket.

Broom, who played the last of his 22 ODIs against Australia at Hamilton in March last year, dominated to such an extent the next highest scorer was Doug Bracewell's rapid 52 from 51 balls shortly before NZA declared at 340 for eight.

Heading into the final day at Peter Burge Oval the AIS were 180 for three, an overall lead of 144.

Glenn Maxwell is well set on 74 alongside Alex Keath (36).

Broom figured in another substantial stand - 126 for the seventh wicket with Bracewell - before he was caught in the deep by Matt Dixon off the bowling of Mitchell Starc.

The left armer, who made his ODI debut for Australia last year, was the only bowler to escape Broom's onslaught as he returned the excellent figures of three for 26 from 13.3 overs - an economy rate of 1.93 runs per over.

- NZPA