Nicol, Oram blast NZ to series win

In a one-sided affair at Whangarei, New Zealand crushed a listless Zimbabwe by 141 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Powered by a calm century from Rob Nicol and bustling knocks from Jacob Oram and Martin Guptill, New Zealand raked up a massive total of 372 for six. In reply, Zimbabwe collapsed to 62 for five but the lower order prevented a total annihilation by playing out the full 50-overs to finish with 231 for 8.

The Kiwi innings which proved to be a lavish run-feast had a sedate beginning. While the last five overs were plundered for as many as 86 runs, the home openers allowed the Zimbabwean pacers to keep a lid on scoring, at least for the first half of the mandatory powerplay. Asked to bat first after rain had delayed proceedings for about an hour, New Zealand’s score after five overs read 10 for no loss as Martin Guptill and Ron Nicol started cautiously.

However, Guptill turned on ignition of the gravy train with two superbly timed flicks that raced across the turf into the boundary ropes. Even as Nicol was content to play the sheet anchor, Guptill went hammer and tongs. Despite a sluggish beginning, he reached his fifty off just 44 deliveries. Nicol too joined the party by depositing Elton Chigumbura in the rugby field outside the stadium.

Eventually, Guptill was caught in the deep for 77 with the first wicket stand yielding 131 runs. If Zimbabwe felt happy on seeing Guptill walk back and expected to rein in the scoring, it was plain wishful thinking, for New Zealand experimented by promoting old warhorse Jacob Oram to number three.

His brief was short and simple- smack the ball to all corners of the picturesque Cobham Oval ground. Immediately on his arrival, the batting powerplay was taken. Oram, known for his big hitting during his hey days, showed some vintage form albeit against a feeble bowling attack that ran out of ideas as soon as the big man hit his first six, a monstrous one-handed hit off Prosper Utseya. More carnage followed as Oram used his long reach and power to devastating effect, smacking three more towering maximums in a 28-ball 59.

All the while Oram was going great guns; Nicol had no choice but to play second fiddle and went past his fifty without most people taking notice. With Brendon McCullum and Kane Williamson dismissed in search of quick runs, Nicol was joined by young Tom Latham. After Nicol brought up second ODI hundred, the stage was set for one final blitz. And, Zimbabwe duly obliged by offering freebies with alarming regularity in the last five overs as a result of which New Zealand’s score hurtled from 286 to 372 for six.

It was not that Zimbabwe only fared poorly in the bowling department but their fielding too was below par. They missed numerous catches, about half a dozen chances went begging. The abject performance in the field left the visitors with little chance to save the series.

Given their top-order woes in the recent past, they needed nothing less than a miracle to make a match of it. However, miracles on a cricket field originate from grit and dogged pursuit of success. Zimbabwe top-order lacks both and the all-too-familiar surrender occurred without semblance of a fight.

Tim Southee had Hamilton Masakadza caught at point, Stuart Matsikenyeri was smartly held by Andrew Ellis at third man and skipper Brendon Taylor tried to take the aerial route in a bid to break the shackles but the resulting top-edge nestled into the gloves of his opposite number as Zimbabwe lost three wickets inside the first seven overs. With the result just a foregone conclusion, the only matter of interest that remained was the margin of defeat, in other words, how colossal would be New Zealand’s series clinching win.

While Oram showed he can wield the willow, he showed his all-round abilities were still in-tact by prising out two quick wickets including that of Malcolm Waller to leave Zimbabwe reeling at 62 for 5. Although a negative decision but the hopeless batting effort left Tatenda Taibu and Chigumbura with no option but to shut shop. The resulting 80-run stand between the two lend some respectability to the score sheet. It was heartening to see both of them score fifties but the contest was over well before the last ball was bowled.