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New Zealand A overcome Jewell defiance to take series 2-0

Caleb Jewell pulls Getty Images

New Zealand A 277 (Kelly 64, Perry 4-41, Hatcher 4-77) and 299 (Bruce 105*, Solia 62, Foxcroft 53, Hatcher 4-92) beat Australia A 275 (Philippe 105, McSweeney 56, Dwarshuis 50) and 233 (Jewell 131, Kuggeleijn 3-50, O'Rourke 3-64) by 68 runs

New Zealand A made it back-to-back victories in the four-day series despite a defiant century from Australia A opener Caleb Jewell on the final day of the pink-ball game in Mackay.

Jewell made a brilliant 131 before he was last-man out, but the next-highest score in the chase was 19 as the home side struggled to combat the New Zealand A pace attack on tricky conditions.

Over the course of four A-team first-class matches played between the teams in April and this series, New Zealand A have won three of them with the other drawn.

Having been set 302, following Tom Bruce's unbeaten century, Australia A made a solid start during an overcast first session until Cameron Bancroft was caught at second slip. They had then reached 80 for 1 when, moments before rain stopped play, Tim Ward was caught behind.

When play resumed, captain Nathan McSweeney edged to slip against the impressive William O'Rourke. Campbell Kellaway survived a huge appeal for caught behind only to top edge to square leg moments later, but Jewell continued to score freely as he dominated the innings.

He went to a 120-ball century, his fifth in first-class cricket, and while he was at the crease Australia A had a good chance of chasing down the runs. However, he could not find anyone to stay with him long enough.

Josh Philippe, who made a superb hundred in the first innings, drove to mid-off and Mitchell Perry was brilliantly caught at backward point by Adithya Askok.

Nathan McAndrew did not appear convinced by his caught-behind decision and there was too much left for the bowlers to do. An injured Ben Dwarshuis came out at No. 11 but did not have to face a ball with Jewell clubbing to deep square leg.

The teams now meet in three one-day games on September 10, 13 and 15.

Australia A 4th innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st30CT BancroftCP Jewell
2nd50CP JewellTP Ward
3rd9CP JewellNA McSweeney
4th37CP JewellC Kellaway
5th39CP JewellJR Philippe
6th32CP JewellM Perry
7th5N McAndrewCP Jewell
8th15MP KuhnemannCP Jewell
9th16CP JewellLC Hatcher
10th0BJ DwarshuisCP Jewell