Second tier players easily tackle an Afghan challenge

Mitchell Santner is one of a number of Hamilton-based players pushing for more playing time ahead of a busy Northern Knights' summer.

A number of fringe Northern Knights have tasted international cricket against an unlikely opponent in Mount Maunganui this week.

With a host of current or former Black Caps including Trent Boult, Corey Anderson, Dean Brownlie, Kane Williamson, Daniel Flynn, Ish Sodhi, BJ Watling and Anton Devcich unavailable, the second tier of young Northern Districts players tested themselves against an Afghanistan side preparing itself for next year's ICC Cricket World Cup.

The side was set to play the second of two matches against the developing cricket nation yesterday after takng the first fixture on Tuesday by five wickets.

Among those to impress for the young Knights side was Hamilton player Mitchell Santner, who looked among the most composed players on show, with both bat and ball.

His left arm off-spin produced 2/35 from his 10 overs before a short-lived cameo at the top of the order set the Knights on their way to knocking off Afghanistan's below par total of 207.

The tall batsman reached 26 from 32 balls - including five dashing boundaries - before being bowled by a Mohammad Nabi delivery that kept low on an up and down Bay Oval early season pitch.

Jono Hickey top-scored with 51 and Ben Horne, son of former Black Caps opening batsman Matt Horne, chipped in with a brisk 48 to get the home side home with five wickets and two overs to spare.

A markedly different Knights side were comfortably beaten by the Auckland Aces in another preseason limited overs fixture earlier in the week.

The Knights' total of 161/8 from their 40 overs never looked like being enough, and with former Black Caps batsman Rob Nicol in fine form, the Aces eased to victory with six wickets to spare.

Nicol paced the innings beautifully on his way to an unbeaten 97, after his side had earlier split two games against Afghanistan at the same venue.