MAY 28,2001:

INDIA and NEW ZEALAND will be playing 4-match test series from 4th to 10th June in New Zealand.

Indian Team

captain -Tingoleinma Chanu Suman Dashwal, Amandeep Kaur, Sumrai Tete, Suman Bala, Pushpa Pradhan, Annu Kumari, Jothi Sunita Kullu, Agnecia Lugun, Sita Gossain, Nasira Surin, Surajlata Devi, Neha Singh, Mamta Kharab, Pakpi Devi, Surinder Kaur, Sanggai Chanu. Manager: Rupa Saini, Coach: A.K. Bansal, Umpire: Radha Sukumar.

New Zealand

Helen Clarke, Anne-Marie Irving, Sandy Bennett, Lizzie Igasan, Rachel Sutherland, Meredith Orr, Michelle Turner, Suzie Pearce, Caryn Paewai, Leisen Jobe, Anna Lawrence, Penny Munns, Mandy Smith, Niniwa Roberts, Jaimee Provan. Coach: Jan Borren (Wellington), Manager: Dayl Milne (Canterbury), Assistant Coach: Selwyn Maister (Canterbury), Assistant Coach: Chris Leslie (Wellington), Physiotherapist: Vanessa Trent (Canterbury), Video Operator: Dee Werder (Taranaki).

RECALLED MANJINDER STRIKES, BUT IT’S TOO LATE

MONDAY JUNE 4, 2001:

New Zealand Wins the First Test at Whankeri

New Zealand’s new captain Sandy Bennett delivered a superb performance in its solid 3-1 win over India in Whangarei in the first test. Bennett, named captain for the four-match series against a youthful Indian team, was a formidable force in a tenacious Kiwi defence that stifled most Indian attacks. She then topped off her homecoming debut as national captain by winning the player of the day award.

“I think Sandy was exceptional out there today. She shut down all of the Indian attacks by reading the play beautifully,” New Zealand coach Jan Borren said. “It is an ideal way to start a series, by playing like that, but I think this Indian team will only get better, they showed some ability to push forward and find holes in our defence. “We have to remember they only arrived in the country last night.”

New Zealand was all over the travel-weary Indian team for the first 30 minutes of the match, jumping out to 2-0 in the first quarter with goals from Anna Lawrence and national debutante Niniwa Roberts. But the backbone of their win came from the experienced core of New Zealand players hardened at top international competition. Mandy Smith, Anna Lawrence and Bennett were the standouts. Smith had a decisive hand in the first two New Zealand goals in an impressive first half and a cameo role in the third just after halftime. Lawrence was the central figure at centre half (although she started the game at inside right, and finished at inside left), organising most of the New Zealand attacks with incisive surges down the middle of the turf.

The Indians finished well, scoring a goal late in the second half and missing two more chances from the field as well as earning a succession of penalty corners. Roberts, following an excellent ball delivered from Smith scored New Zealand’s third goal. India’s goal by Manjinder Kahur was expertly flicked over the defence, leaving New Zealand goalkeeper Anne-Marie Irving stranded. The second match is at Rosedale Park, Albany, on Wednesday night.

Source: Various websites