The New Zealand A-Mumbai Cricket Association XI match promised to be a close one. And by god, close it was ...

When New Zealand A off-spinner Glen Sulzberger dismissed centurion Nilesh Patwardhan at the Guru Nanak grounds on Saturday afternoon all that separated the two teams was 10 runs. But that first innings lead was enough to ensure the New Zealanders a berth in the Buchi Babu quarter-finals. They now take on MRF at the MA Chidambaram A grounds on August 20, 21 and 22.

Patwardhan, who made 134 off 351 balls with 13 fours, had earlier ploughed a lonely furrow while guiding Mumbai, 198 for four overnight, to 319. His exciting 46-run partnership with last man Nilesh Kulkarni brought the Mumbai team frighteningly close to overhauling the New Zealand target.

The other batsmen could only play minor hands. Indian discard Ajit Agarkar, who incidentally went wicketless in the match, made 20 off 65 balls with three fours before being stumped off a Paul Wiseman delivery. Mr Extras with a rather healthy 40 was the second highest scorer. For New Zealand, off-spinners - Wiseman and Sulzberger - who both claimed three wickets each were the successful bowlers.

Mark Richardson and Lou Vincent ensured that the New Zealand second innings was not a meaningless exercise - at least for the two of them. While Richardson took his time to compile 43, Vincent made an unbeaten 51 off 93 balls with six fours and one six. In all New Zealand made 114 for two in their second essay.

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