Watling shines for NZ XI

Prospective Test wicketkeeper BJ Watling made the most of his chances with the bat in the New Zealand XI's three-day match with Zimbabwe in Gisborne.

The match is a non-first-class fixture as a result of both teams wanting to field 12 players.

New Zealand A decided to bat first and had a tough start losing both openers for six runs, including prospective Test rival for Watling, Kruger Van Wyk who was dismissed for five.

Initially, Test batman Kane Williamson, batting at No.3 got things on the road to recovery when scoring 26 patient runs. But along the way he lost his skipper Ross Taylor who was bowled for seven runs scored in just over half an hour.

However, Dan Vettori proved more efficient in blunting the visiting attack while scoring 49 runs. When he fell at 114-5 it was Watling, who scored 84 runs during a 221-minute stay at the crease, and Sam Wells who scored 65 in 126 minutes that allowed the side to reach 239-6 before Wells was dismissed.

When Watling was run out, the New Zealand XI declared at 272-7. Shingi Masakadza was the most successful of the bowlers with 2-36 from 11 overs while Keegan Meth bowled 12 overs to take 1-32.

In reply, Zimbabwe were 39-0 in the 14 overs available before stumps. Tino Mawayo was 23 not out and Hamilton Masakadza 15 not out.