Australia 'A' batsmen leave New Zealanders with imposing target

Australia 'A' has established an imposing victory target for New Zealand by the halfway mark of the teams' day-night clash at the 'Gabba ground in Brisbane this afternoon.

On a scorching afternoon in Brisbane, the team of aspiring international players racked up an impressive 5/282 off its allotted 50 overs on a placid pitch.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming sent the locals into bat first on an afternoon which saw the temperature touch 37 degrees but the move was compromised as Ryan Campbell (46) and Jimmy Maher (42) set their team off to a flying start.

Captain Darren Lehmann (50) ultimately top-scored for the 'A' side, raising his half century in an eventful 46th over of the innings. He cracked a Craig McMillan delivery over mid wicket for four, thumped a full toss belligerently over point for six, and was then run out in an incident which saw the ball rebound off the stumps and straight into the throat of inconvenienced wicketkeeper Adam Parore.

Along with Lehmann, middle order players Simon Katich (47), Greg Blewett (42), Mike Hussey (28*) and Shane Watson (18*) all ensured that the scoring rate in the innings rarely fell below a rate of five runs an over.

McMillan (1/30) and Daniel Vettori (1/57) were the only wicket-takers for the Kiwis, with each of three wickets achieved through run outs.

The attack was hampered by the early departure of paceman Shane Bond (0/21) who was taken to hospital suffering from heat stroke.