Will Young stood tall as the New Zealand opener exploited India’s bowling attack to compile a well-structured 125 as the home team managed 333 all out after the Men in Blue came a late comeback in the fourth ODI in Mount Maunganui on Friday. India currently lead the five-match series 2-0 after the third ODI was abandoned due to rain.
Although New Zealand are in no position to win the series, Young and his opening partner Tim Seifert (58, 48 balls) gave the home team an excellent start on a batting-friendly deck, adding 85 runs in 12 overs. Seifert was the lead act in this stand, bringing up his maiden ODI half century in 41 balls.
Young, who made a slow start, was fortunate to get two reprieves in as many balls by Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan in the second over bowled by Auqib Nabi. The left-handed opener made India to pay for these lapses as he reached his fifty in 49 balls and, fetched his next fifty in 39 balls.
He was finally undone by Naman Dhir, after substitute fielder Kumar Kushagra took a catch at mid-wicket on his second attempt. During his 108-ball stay, Young smashed 14 fours and four sixes.
India have never chased down a 250-plus total against New Zealand in New Zealand in ODIs. The Men in Blue were 201 without loss in 23.3 overs in Hamilton while chasing 281 in 47 overs against New Zealand in 2009. With the rain playing a major role, India won the game via DLS method.
Having said that, India have chased 250-plus totals on New Zealand soil, but against other teams. During the 2015 ODI World Cup, India chased down 288 against Zimbabwe at Auckland and 260 against Ireland in Hamilton. Overall, India’s highest successful ODI chase against New Zealand is 316 in Bengaluru in 2010.
Earlier this year, India chased down 301 against New Zealand in Vadodara.
