Comfortable win gives New Zealand lead

Despite a stop-start batting effort, New Zealand’s 248 proved to be a Herculean task for out-of-sorts Zimbabwean batting in the first ODI at Dunedin. The hosts eased to a 90-run win to take 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Zimbabwe folded for 158 in a batting show that wouldn't make them proud.

If Zimbabwe were to have any chance of successfully chasing down the 249 total, they needed a solid start against the new balls. But, Kyle Mills in the very first over found enough movement to trap Stuart Matsikenyeri in front of the stumps. Andrew Ellis’ direct hit from midwicket accounted for Hamilton Masakadza and Regis Chakabva could only edge a Mills oustwinger to be caught in the cordon. The top-order collapse meant Zimbabwe were floundering, 15 for three in the seventh over was not the start they wanted.

Zimbabwe’s hopes now rested on skipper Brendan Taylor and Tatenda Taibu. The two came together when the visitors were in deep trouble. Even though, Taibu was edgy to begin with but he supported Taylor in 52-run stand. While Taylor tried to keep score board moving with odd big hit, the disciplined Kiwi bowling made run scoring difficult.

However, the chase was on till Taylor was at the crease. He reached his fifty off 61 deliveries. With the required rate going past 6 per over, he smacked one out of the park but Nicol had him caught at long-off for 58 on the next delivery. Malcolm Waller fell leg-before to Nicol and when Elton Chigumbura was dismissed by Bracewell, Zimbabwe’s chances evaporated in thin air.

Ray Price briefly entertained with an unbeaten 26, Zimbabwe were all-out for 158 in 41.1 overs. Once again, a listless batting effort especially top-order troubles caused the visitors to sink without much of fight.

Earlier, New Zealand overcame stutters of their own to post a testing 248-run total on the board. Although, Zimbabwe made inroads at regular intervals but a glut of boundary balls allowed the hosts to get away. Barring Martin Guptill, who top-scored with 70, none of the numerous starts was converted into a substantial score even as Shingi Masakadza returned with figures of 4-46.

After being put in to bat, New Zealand had a wobble at the start as Rob Nicol and Brendon McCullum were dismissed inside the first eight balls. Two down for just four runs meant New Zealand needed a rearguard act. Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson set about the recovery with an array of positive strokes. While the Zimbabwean pacers in a bid to extract swing erred in direction, they punished anything off-line, thereby undoing some of the early damage. Their 88-run stand went a long way in laying foundation for a decent total.

After Williamson was caught by Shingi Masakadza off his own bowling, Guptill went on to take New Zealand past three figures, also brought up his fifty in the process. With debutant Tom Latham giving a good account of himself, New Zealand were doing well but Guptill’s dismissal sucked out some of the momentum. Shortly afterwards, Latham and Dean Brownlie fell in quick succession as New Zealand were in bit of strife at 166 for 6 in the 34th over.

Nathan McCullum and Andrew Ellis steadied the ship with a 57-run stand. With aggressive running between the wickets, they were able to score at a good rate without taking too many risks. Just when they were looking to cut loose towards the end, Shingi Masakadza struck to remove both of them. The New Zealand tail didn’t wag and they were all-out for 248 with nine balls remaining.