Fulton and Taylor star for New Zealand A

New Zealand A 4 for 139 (Fulton 64, Taylor 48*) beat Queensland XI 6 for 138 (Perren 47) by 6 wickets
Scorecard

Peter Fulton smashed 64 from 43 balls as New Zealand A eased to a six-wicket win against Queensland XI in a Twenty20 match in Cairns. Set a target of 139, New Zealand A got home with 11 balls to spare, thanks to a 102-run third-wicket partnership between Fulton and Ross Taylor, who remained unbeaten on a 45-ball 48.

The two came to the crease after the New Zealanders had lost their openers with only 18 on the board. Over the next 13 overs, though, Queensland were pushed completely on the defensive as Fulton and Taylor hammered the ball to all parts - Fulton struck seven fours and two sixes in his knock, while Taylor was slightly less destructive, striking four fours and a six. When Fulton was finally dismissed, New Zealand only required 19 more from nearly five overs, and they reached the target quite comfortably.

Queensland's innings had earlier been propped up by Clinton Perren, who slammed a quick 47 and shared a useful 58-run second-wicket stand with Nathan Reardon, the left-handed opener who made 34 from 21 balls. The rest of the cast didn't contribute much, though, and ultimately the target proved to be a cinch for New Zealand A.