NZ Academy wastes no time taking nine wicket win

New Zealand might have been struggling in Brisbane against Australia today, but the New Zealand Academy were untroubled in beating the Queensland Academy.

Brendon McCullum and Jamie How went for their target of 121 runs from the outset bringing up their 50 runs off only 53 balls. How showed he was just as capable as McCullum at scoring quickly.

By the time 10 overs were up the Academy had 59 runs on the board. However, the arrival of Matthew Anderson at the bowling crease bore immediate reward when How drove in the air to mid on where the catch was held with How having reached 30.

Chris Harris joined McCullum due to other commitments later in the day but the batsmen were scoring so well, he was to be untroubled.

McCullum was in charge, hitting 10 fours in his 50, achieving the milestone off 50 balls.

The 100 came up off 98 balls, in 72 minutes.

McCullum finished with 57 off 63 balls and Harris chimed in with 33 off 25 as only 20.2 overs were needed to complete a nine-wicket win.

New Zealand's Academy director Dayle Hadlee said: "The size of the victory was surprising given the position of the QAS at the conclusion of the first day.

"The NZCA bowlers utilised the conditions more consistently by bowling a fuller length, the fielders out-performed the visitors and the batsmen scored more consistently and played more positively on a pitch that was familiar to them."

The game completes the 2001 Academy intake's playing programme.