Academy unable to produce required resistance

Auckland scored a convincing 10-wicket win over the New Zealand Academy side in their game at Lincoln Green today.

The Academy efforts to build on the fine start provided by Jamie How last night were undone by Auckland left-arm spin bowler Mark Haslam who picked up the wickets of Jonathan McNamee and Brendon McCullum in successive overs, McCullum being bowled around his legs attempting a sweep shot.

The Academy was in line for an innings defeat at 129 for five wickets.

But two Aucklanders looking to make an impression against their home town club-mates, Nick Horsley and Reece Young set about the recovery with a good mixture of defence and aggression as Auckland captain Brooke Walker found when bowling his first over of the day and being hit for four boundaries by Young.

Horsley was out just before lunch for 67 to end a 102-run partnership in 99 minutes.

Young was out soon afterwards, leg before wicket, a decision which involved a consultation between the two umpires at square leg.

Andre Adams claimed the wicket to go alongside that of Horsley he had picked up earlier.

Then Nathan McCullum was the third of three wickets to fall in 12 balls with only five runs being added. At lunch the score was 236/8 and the end was nigh.

An Adams yorker bowled Warren McSkimming while Taraia Robin soon departed lbw to Haslam, leaving the total at 258 - a lead of 23.

Haslam (4-60) and Adams (4-45) shared the spoils and batsmen Tim McIntosh and Matt Horne scored the winning runs for the 10-wicket margin.

The teams play a one-day game tomorrow with Daniel Vettori making an appearance at the bowling crease for the Academy as a trial for his return to Australia.