Kiwis warm up with big win

The visiting New Zealand women's cricket team warmed up for its forthcoming One-Day International (ODI) series against India with a comfortable 97-run victory against India women's A team at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Friday.

Batting first, the Kiwis made 256 for 9 in 50 overs with opener Suzie Bates (45, 49b, 5x4) and Katie Perkins (45, 42b, 5x4) leading the way. The visitors then dismissed the home team for 159 in 49 overs despite a fighting 42 (59b, 6x4) by Priya Punia.

For India A, left-arm spinner Preeti Bose (3 for 32), off-spinner Sushree Dibyadarshini (3 for 52), and leg-spinner Devika Vaidya (3 for 64) got among the wickets. The Kiwis were well-served by left-arm spinner Morna Nielsen (3 for 22) and Leigh Kasperek (3 for 19).

The Kiwi innings, which was tottering at 213 for seven in the 44th over despite some useful contributions from the top and middle-order, received a much-needed boost courtesy a 41-run eighth wicket partnership between Maddie Green (21) and Nathalie Dodd (22) as the pair ensured a challenging total.

India A's response was rather tepid and after losing opener Sarika Koli to the very first ball of the innings, the hosts succumbed to pressure especially with Nielsen and Kasperek enjoying fruitful spells.

The first of the five matches of the ODI series commences at the same venue on Sunday.

Brief scores:

New Zealand women 256 for nine in 50 overs (Suzie Bates 45, Amy Satterthwaite 37; Preeti Bose 3 for 32, Sushree Dibyadarshini 3 for 52) vs India women 'A' 159 in 49 overs (Priya Punia 42, Ananya Upendran 25, Morna Nielsen 3 for 22, Leigh Kasperek 3 for 19).