NZ vs IND 4th ODI: NZ reach 159/3 after 25 overs; Will Young unbeaten on 64

[[{“value”:”

New Zealand reached 159 runs for the loss of three wickets at the halfway stage of their innings in the fourth ODI against India at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui.

Having put in to bat, the NZ openers gave them a flying start, stitching together an 85-run partnership for the first wicket. Both openers, Will Young and Tim Seifert, scored half-centuries before the latter was dismissed for 58 runs off 48 deliveries.

Will Young remained unbeaten on 64 and was joined by Finn Allen at the crease. The hosts will hope to post a big first-innings total to keep the series alive.

For India, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar and Axar Patel chipped in with one wicket each. India lead the series 2-0 with 2 games to go.

Earlier, Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl first. The Indian stand-in captain was happy to chase down the total set by the hosts.

“We will bowl first. I think it’s about chasing, and when we looked at the wicket yesterday, there was a little bit of grass, but today it looks pretty dry, and also considering the dew coming in in the evening, one of the reasons we have opted to bowl first. Well, it’s important firstly to analyse the matches we’ve played before. So the coming two games, it’s going to be crucial and of cardinal importance. Ruturaj, Ishan Kishan and Kuldeep Yadav.” Iyer said.

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said he was looking to bowl first too and confirmed six changes for the hosts.

“It’s usually a pretty good wicket here, and obviously with the wind and a bit of sun, it’ll be nice. [On the conditions] Yeah, it looks obviously a little bit of grass. I think it’ll still have a bit of pace and bounce, but I think with the wind and obviously the sun, it could dry out a little bit. But it should be a good wicket. [On the changes] Six changes. We got Nick Kelly at three, Foxy (Foxcroft) in as well at four, Finn Allen, Kristian Clarke, Michael Bracewell, Matt Henry.
Obviously building the depth of our team leading into a World Cup year and then I guess them challenging themselves against a very, very good team.” Santner said.

Playing XI for both teams:

New Zealand (Playing XI): Tim Seifert(w), Will Young, Nick Kelly, Dean Foxcroft, Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Matthew Fisher

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer(c), Ishan Kishan(w), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Kuldeep Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh

“}]]