New Zealand A v India A at the Bay Oval 2018

Posted: Wednesday, 14 November 2018

Match starts Friday

What a treat is in store for Bay of Plenty cricket fans over the weekend (16-19 November 2018), when New Zealand A hosts India A in a four-day match at the Bay Oval – and the best part is the free entrance to the best cricket venue in the country. Five India test players are coming to the Bay Oval, for the four-day match against New Zealand A that kicks off this Friday (16 November 2018) before joining the Indian test team in Adelaide as they prepare to play Australia. Ajinkya Rahane, who will captain India A at the Bay Oval four-dayer, along with Murali Vijay, Prithvi Shaw, Parthiv Patel and Hanuma Vihari, will depart to join their Indian test counterparts in Australia, immediately after the Western Bay of Plenty four-day encounter. Murali Vijay, has been regular member of the Indian test side, since making his debut against Australia a decade ago. Fifty-nine test appearances tell the tale of a high quality international batsman, who has scored 3933 test runs at average of 39.33. Twelve centuries and a highest score of 167, suggest that Murali is one of the best credentialed batsmen to play at the Bay Oval.

At the other end of the (experience) spectrum, is Prithvi Shaw who captained India to victory in the ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup final, against Australia at the Bay Oval in February. Shaw, showed that he is headed for cricket super stardom in the future, when he became the youngest Indian player to score a century on debut, against the West Indies in October 2018. Bay cricket fans had the opportunity to catch Prithvi’s talent on display during India’s four appearances at the Bay Oval, during the U19 CWC at the start of the year. He opened his Bay Oval campaign, with a sterling 94 off 100 balls, as his side easily dispatched Australia in pool play. Another superb knock came where he belted 57 not out in India’s total of 67/0 against Papaua New Guinea.

New Zealand A features a young man that also looks destined for higher honours. Rachin Ravindra showed his all-round skills during his U19 CWC Bay Oval appearances. In the opening game of the age-group tournament, Rachin took three wickets for 30 runs against West Indies and then blasted 76 in the New Zealand winning encounter with South Africa. There is a strong Western Bay of Plenty connection with the New Zealand A team. Doug Bracewell, who played Bay of Plenty age-group cricket, has worn the Black Cap strip during 60 appearances through the three forms of the game. Seventy-two test wickets and 2796 runs pay testament to a genuine international all-rounder.

New Zealand A v India A at the Bay Oval 2018
16-19 November Four-Day Match – 11am start
7 December One-Day Match – game one
9 December One-Day Match – game two
11 December One-Day Match – game three

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