Zimbabwe crash to 90-run loss in opening ODI

Guptill hits 70 as New Zealand take lead in 3-match series.

DUNEDIN: New Zealand defeated Zimbabwe by 90 runs in the first One-Day International (ODI) at Dunedin as the tourists’ poor batting undermined a creditable bowling effort.

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

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 all-rounder Rob Nicol took four wickets for 19 in just his fourth ODI.

‘We weren’t good enough’

The Zimbabwe captain admitted the side did not match New Zealand’s standards.

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

New Zealand were far from convincing as Zimbabwe took a couple of wickets in the opening two overs and were dismissed in the 48th over. Kane Williamson (35), Nathan McCullum (30) and Andrew Ellis (33) all made starts but could not dig in on a pitch that offered plenty of movement.

Guptill was the only batsman who managed to impress and his 88-run partnership with Williamson proved crucial in steadying the innings.

However, Brendon McCullum, the New Zealand captain, said the 249-run target was a decent one.

“It was a decent total considering the lack of momentum throughout the innings,” said McCullum. “I’m happy with the bowlers’ efforts but I want the side to be ruthless.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4^th, 2012.