| Scores | Upcoming | Results |
Brisbane: An efficient all-round display from New Zealand Emerging Players helped them overcome India Emerging Players in the first Twenty20 match at the Albury Oval. Hamish Bennett, the right-arm fast bowler, starred with the ball, while Colin de Grandhomme scored a sparkling half-century to take New Zealand home in the penultimate over.
Peter Fulton's decision to field first paid off as the Indian batsmen floundered against Bennett, who removed three top-order batsmen - Ajinkya Rahane, S Badrinath and Virat Kohli - as New Zealand took the early honours. But Manoj Tiwary's 51 off 32 balls and a brave knock from Abhishek Nayar helped them wrest back the advantage. Naman Ojha's 15-ball 26 helped them go past 150.
Martin Guptill and de Grandhomme made an excellent start to the run-chase, scoring freely off the Indian seamers. de Grandhomme hit six fours and a six during his 45-ball 60. R Ashwin, the right-arm offspinner, struck two quick blows to keep India in the hunt, but crucial knocks from wicketkeeper Reece Young and Kane Williamson lower down the order were enough to secure the win.
Brief Score: New Zealand Emerging Players 5 for 156 (de Grandhomme 60, Ashwin 3-22) beat India Emerging Players 5 for 154 (Tiwary 51*, Nayar 45, Bennett 3-20) by five wickets.
