Thu, 20 Oct 2011 - Zimbabwe Vs New Zealand, New Zealand Tour of Zimbabwe 2011-12, 1st ODI - Bulletin

NZ romp home after Nicole debut century

For third time running, Zimbabwe failed to separate the New Zealand openers cheaply as the good work done by Brendon Taylor was undone by a lackluster bowling display as the visitors chased down the 232 run target for the loss of one wicket with 39 balls to spare. Debutant Rob Nicole struck a century and Martin Guptill contributed 74 in a 153 opening stand as New Zealand crossed the line without breaking a sweat. However, Taylor had to work hard for his century after the top order floundered as Zimbabwe could only manage 231.

Leading from the front, skipper Brendon Taylor hit an unbeaten knock of 128 that lifted Zimbabwe out of despair. The decision to bat first seemed to backfire for the hosts as they lost four wickets in the first eleven overs with score just 21. But, Taylor along with Forster Mutizwa steadied the ship with a fighting 156 run stand for the fifth wicket and the captain stepped up the gas in the last overs to take his team to a respectable score of 231.

Doug Bracewell produced a devastating spell of bowling with the new ball, moving the ball at will and troubled the batsmen with persistent line and length. The first Zimbabwean wicket to fall was that of Vusi Sibanda, caught behind off Bracewll’s bowling in the fourth over. The same bowler cleaned up Hamilton Masakadza in his next over and when in-form Chamu Chibhabha was sent back, Zimbabwe were reeling at 12 for 3. The situation went from bad to worse when Kane Williamson pulled off a juggling catch in the covers to remove Tatenda Taibu cheaply.

With the top order blown away, Zimbabwe innings needed some rebuilding to prevent a collapse. Taylor and Mutizwa did exactly that by starting their respective innings watchfully. They rotated the strike regularly and with the bowlers doling out occasional boundary balls, the partnership added runs without any unnecessary risks. The hundred of innings was crossed in the 31st over and the two batsmen accelerated in the batting powerplay which yielded 32 runs.

Having added 156 in about 30.5 overs, Mutizwa was caught behind for 98-ball 69 that was laced with three boundaries and a six. The next man in, Elton Chigumbura did not last long but Taylor carried on with the good work. He brought up his fifth ODI century with a nudge to square leg but still had enough energy left to spoil Bracewell’s figures with three maximums in the 49th over. He finished unbeaten on 128 off 120 balls with seven boundaries and five big hits over the fence to his name. Without his contribution, Zimbabwe would have struggled to cross three figures let alone the 231 they finally got.

In the reply, Nicole replaced T20 opener Brendon McCullum at top of the order but that did not affect the run scoring in any way. Instead of McCullum’s sixes, Guptill and Nicole relied on boundaries hitting nine in the first fifteen overs, the score already 80. Guptill though hit a six, launching Chigumbura into the stands. Soon after, both the men brought up their fifties.

Since, the run rate was never a problem, the batsmen did not feel any pressure allowing the debutant Nicole to time his innings to perfection. Against the run of play, Guptill was dismissed for 74 while trying to hit one over the ropes but found long-on.

In came, Brendon McCullum and expectedly the chase became a mere formality, the highlight being Nicole’s century. He finished unbeaten on 108 off 131 balls with eleven boundaries to his name while as, McCullum finished 39. With the win, New Zealand have taken lead in the three match ODI series.