Chapman century guides NZ to win

LONDON: The Black Caps eased to a sevenwicket oneday victory over Scotland in a oneoff oneday international thanks to Mark Chapman's unbeaten century.

Chapman, who finished on 101 not out, mounted an unbroken fourthwicket stand of 175 with Daryl Mitchell to steer the touring side past its target of 307 with 25 balls to spare at Grange.

Openers Martin Guptill and Finn Allen got the Kiwis' reply off to a solid start with contributions of 47 and 50 respectively, but it was Chapman and Mitchell who provided the impetus despite Michael Leask's return of two for 46.

They came together at the start of the 24th over with the score on 132 for three and Chapman's knock, which included seven sixes and six fours, and an unbeaten 74 from Mitchell saw them home.

Matthew Cross and Leask had earlier produced a middleorder fightback to keep the Scots in the game.

The pair had put on 92 for the sixth wicket when Cross was caught behind for 53, leaving Leask to guide the tail before he eventually fell for a fine 85, which included four sixes and nine fours, from 55 balls.

Having opted to bat, skipper Richie Berrington saw openers Kyle Coetzer and Michael Jones make it to 46 before Coetzer went for 22.

He was soon followed by Callum MacLeod, Jones for 36, Berrington and Chris Greaves, to leave the home team 107 for five, three balls into the 25th over.

Mark Watt's 31 and 28 from Safyaan Sharif eased Scotland to 306 all out with two balls remaining. Michael Bracewell and Jacob Duffy took three wickets apiece. — BPA