Sports

Cricket: Debutant Nicol’s century secures win

New Zealand beat Zimbabwe by nine wickets in first ODI

Afp October 20, 2011 Less than a minute read

HARARE: Rob Nicol hit a century on his One-Day International (ODI) debut as New Zealand romped to a nine-wicket win in the first match against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club.

Nicol, 28, made 108 not out as New Zealand chased down a modest target of 232, winning with 39 balls to spare.

Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor admitted it was a disappointing outcome after he made an unbeaten 128 to enable his side post 231 for six after a disastrous start in which the home side crashed to 21 for four off 11 overs after winning the toss.

Taylor and Forster Mutizwa (69) put on 156 for the fifth wicket. “To rebuild from where we were this morning was quite tough,” said the Zimbabwe captain. “Forster and I did a decent job that way, but 230 was never good enough. We’re a better side than this.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2011.