Kane Williamson, Tom Latham strike fifties as New Zealand warm up

New Zealand XI batsmen made the most of their only warm-up game ahead of the three-Test series to rack up a rapid 324/7 against Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai at the Kotla here on Friday.

On a grassy track suited to their style of play the Kiwis piled up the runs comfortably led by half-centuries from skipper Kane Williamson (50, 56b) and opener Tom Latham (55, 97b). Also chipping in against some unthreatening bowling from the Mumbai lineup were middle-order star Ross Taylor (41, 57b) and left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner (45, 59b).

In reply, Mumbai were 29/1, losing opener Jay Bista in the 13 overs they faced from the New Zealanders. Arman Jaffer (24) and Kaustubh Pawar (5) were at the crease at close of play, The match ends on Sunday.

Left-arm pacer Trent Boult dismissed Jay Bista (0) caught behind.

For Mumbai, Balwinder Sandhu Jr took two wickets with his medium pace. The rest of the bowling did not test the Kiwis who saw off Mumbai's three spinners, Vishal Dabholkar, Siddhesh Lad and Vijay Gohil, without too much fuss. The Kiwis, out to get a feel of the conditions sent in nine batsmen with Latham and stumper B.J. Watling retiring after their respective innings, while the rest fell looking for quick runs. All 15 members of the tour squad are slated to play in this lone first-class game ahead of the first Test at Kanpur's Green Park next week.

At lunch, the Kiwis had coasted to 117/2 in 26 overs, struggling opener Martin Guptill still unable to break a string of poor scores and falling to Sandhu in the seventh over.

Williamson and Latham then put on 85 for the second wicket, the skipper leading the way with six boundaries and two sixes before he too fell to Sandhu just before the lunch break.

Latham and Taylor then pushed things along with the former opening up after a sedate start. He blasted 10 fours and a six before making way for the next batsman, it was the turn of Henry Nicholls (29), Watling, Mark Craig (33 not out) and Ish Sodhi (29 not out) to get a feel of ball on bat in a match situation.

Rohit Sharma, who is in the fray for a spot in the Test squad will want to get runs under his belt on Saturday to strengthen his claim, and fielded for a while on the day.

Scores: New Zealand XI 324/7 decl. in 75 overs (T. Latham 55, K. Williamson 50, R. Taylor 41, M. Santner 45, M. Craig 33 n.o., I. Sodhi 29 n.o.; B. Sandhu 2/21) vs Mumbai 29/1 in 13 overs (Armaan Jaffer 24 batting)