It was nearly a repeat of the first ODI, Brendon Taylor’s century once again went in vain, Zimbabwe bowlers for the fourth time running failed to dislodge the New Zealand top order before the damage had been done and Martin Guptill crossed fifty one more time as the visitors clinched the series 2-0 with a four wicket win at Harare. The difference though was that he went on to score a hundred and the visitors faltered a bit towards the finish line but untimely chased down the 260 run target with ten balls to spare.
The kind of run scoring form New Zealand openers have enjoyed on this tour made the 260 run target look below par but the hosts managed to strike inside the first ten overs removing last match’s centurion Rob Nicol for 9. However, Martin Guptill at the other end was in imperious form, hitting six boundaries in as many overs. After the first wicket, he was joined by Brendon McCullum and the two powered the chase for 30.3 overs to put their team on course with a 157 run partnership.
Benefiting from three dropped chances, the right handed duo made most of the lives and punished some ordinary bowling by Zimbabwe. While they were both looking set for three figures, McCullum perished while trying to force the pace of Meth to be caught at point for 87. Though, Guptill brought up his century, the breakthrough had given Zimbabwe some hope. New Zealand skipper Ross Taylor couldn’t do much; Guptill followed him to the pavilion without addition of a run to the score.
Three wickets for 16 runs did dent the chase but New Zealand had enough quality down the order to ensure that the 1-0 lead was not squandered. Kane Williamson and BJ Watling’s 31 run partnership at a crunch time doing the job for New Zealand.
For Zimbabwe, skipper Brendon Taylor was once again the main contributor with second successive ton in the series to lift his side to a respectable 259 for 8. After being out in, the hosts started on a steady note but lost their way a bit before Taylor and Malcolm Waller added a brisk 86 for the fifth stand to provide the innings much needed impetus.
Weary of losing too many wickets early, Zimbabwe openers chose to start cautiously to get through the powerplay without any damage. However, Vusi Sibanda was the first wicket to fall, caught at mid-off when the score was 41. New Zealand then removed the other opener as Masakadza pulled a short ball from Andy McKay down the fielder’s throat at deep square leg. The same bowler accounted for Tatenda Taibu in his next over and Forster Mutizwa too couldn’t do much as Zimbabwe were struggling to get a partnership going.
At 83 for 4, the Zimbabwe innings was in a wobble and needed some rebuilding. Taylor having witnessed the mini procession from the other end, decided to counter-attack in a bid to open up the field. He lifted Franklin over the ropes to send across the message that Zimbabwe were not going to collapse in heap. The in-form Taylor was well supported by Malcolm Waller in an enterprising 86 run stand that consumed only 73 deliveries. Offie Rob Nicol conceded four boundaries in one and eventually 23 in his two overs.
After Waller was bowled for 42 and Elton Chigumbura returned to hut through the same way, Taylor kept the score board moving with one and twos plus the odd big hit. Comeback man, Keegan Meth too played his part as 43 runs came off the last five overs. That included three boundaries in the last over, the first of which took Taylor to his sixth ODI century. In the process, Zimbabwe had set the visitors a decent 260 run target.
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