New Zealand pacer Scott Kuggeleijn went on a rampage in the official Test against Australia A at Allan Border Field, Brisbane. Kuggeleijn took the ‘Bazball’ approach against Nathan McSweeney-led side that boasted of bowlers like Joel Paris, Mark Steketee, and leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson. He delivered with an unbeaten 101-run knock from just 85 balls including 12 fours and four sixes.
Kuggeleijn walked out to bat at no.8 when the score was 301. The lead was of 185 runs which did not look challenging in front of the home side. The 31-year-old did not wait and play himself in. After a few dot balls, he took on Jordan Buckingham and hit him for a four and a six.
After the wicket of Muhammad Abbas (55) to the new ball, Kuggeleijn decided to pounce on opportunities to score. He took on Buckingham again and smashed him for two fours and a six. He reached his half-century from 40 balls. The fours and sixes continued. The wickets of Brett Randell and Ajaz Patel did not affect him either. When the ninth wicket fell, Kuggeleijn was batting on 91. He reached his century with a six off Swepson. He took 85 deliveries to reach the milestone.
In the next over, Jacob Duffy got bowled by Mitchell Perry. Kuggeleijn's knock helped New Zealand A post 468 in the third innings and set a target of 353.
Kuggeleijn carried forward the momentum with the ball as well. His first wicket was of Caleb Jewell with the new ball. Later, he ended Australia A's chances of winning or drawing the encounter. He broke the sixth-wicket partnership between Perry and opener Cameron Bancroft. After removing Perry, he ended Bancroft's resistance in the next. Bancroft departed for 47 after getting trapped in front of the wickets. He took the wicket of Swepson as well to wrap up Australia A's second innings for 127 and help the visitors win by 225 runs.
Earlier, New Zealand A in the first innings got all out for 147. Buckingham and Swepson took three wickets each. In Reply, Jewell's 78-run knock and contributions down the order helped Australia A post 263. Kuggeleijn starred with the ball as he took a fifer.
Kuggeleijn will be seen in the action again in the second unofficial Test of the tour starting September 4 at Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay.
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