New Zealand beats Zimbabwe by 90 runs in 1st ODI

New Zealand defeated Zimbabwe by 90 runs in the first ODI at Dunedin today as poor batting by the tourists undermined a creditable bowling effort.

Zimbabwe, reeling from a humiliating innings-and-301-run defeat in a one-off Test in Napier last week, were set an achievable target of 249 after winning the toss and sending New Zealand in to bat on a seaming wicket.

But the hard work by Zimbabwe paceman Shingi Masakadza, who took four for 46, was undone by a weak batting display in which captain Brendan Taylor's 58 off 68 balls was the sole bright spot.

New Zealand opener Martin Guptill produced a man-of-the-match display in scoring 70 to anchor the home side's innings, while promising all-rounder Rob Nicol took four wickets for 19 in his fourth one-day international.

"We just weren't good enough today," Taylor said. "We'll go back to the drawing board with the batting and a few areas with the ball, but we we just outplayed by a better side."

New Zealand were far from convincing as Zimbabwe took two wickets in the opening two overs and were eventually bowled out in the 48th over.

Kane Williamson (35), Nathan McCullum (30) and Andrew Ellis (33) all made starts but could not dig in on a green-tinged pitch that offered plenty of movement.

Guptill was the only batman who managed to break the shackles and his 88-run partnership with Williamson proved crucial in steadying the New Zealand innings. He brought up a half century off 44 balls, including seven fours, but fell when a lapse in concentration saw him clean bowled by Elton Chigumbura.

Chigumbura struck again four overs later, enticing debutant Tom Latham into an attempted cover drive which edged to wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu.

Unlike the Napier Test, Zimbabwe maintained the pressure and were rewarded when a diving Dean Brownlie was run out for 19 after Regis Chakabva hit the stumps from side-on with a sharp piece of fielding, leaving the hosts on 166-6.

... contd.

ALSO READ

IPL 2013:Sunrisers Hyderabad bowlers fire as Delhi Daredevils bowled out for 80

Champions Trophy: With M S Dhoni around I am not looking to be wicketkeeper, says Dinesh Karthik

Whoever wins after losing is called baazigar, SRK on KKR winning IPL 2013

IPL 2013: Rajasthan Royals look to settle scores against Pune Warriors