Bowlers struggle but Black Caps grab win

CRICKET

Ian Anderson Zimbabwe’s top-order batsmen gave the Black Caps a workout ahead of the much-anticipated South African showdown.

In their final outing in New Zealand, the tourists made the highest score in their limited Twenty20 history by compiling 200-2 off 20 overs at Hamilton’s Seddon Park last night, ensuring John Wright will be casting a critical eye over how his men perform with the ball against the new tourists, starting in Wellington on Friday.

Zimbabwe’s bowlers and fielders failed to back up their batsmen, however, after New Zealand needed 14 off the final over and Kane Williamson got them home with two balls and five wickets in hand by making 20 runs off five balls.

New Zealand used eight bowlers in an attempt to combat Zimbabwe’s late-found productivity but only Rob Nicol emerged unscathed and he bowled just a solitary over.

Michael Bates went for 47 off his four overs, Kyle Mills 40, Roneel Hira 31 off three and Nathan Mccullum’s sole over gave up 15 as skipper Brendon Mccullum strived fruitlessly to find an answer to the shock onslaught.

Zimbabwe skipper Brendan Taylor paced his contribution initially before unveiling some beautiful strokeplay as he top-scored with 75 off just 43 deliveries (six fours and three sixes), while Elton Chigumbura maintained the rapid rate by adding 29 off 16 balls.

The Black Caps promoted James Franklin promoted to open the innings alongside Nicol.

Nicol (56 off 34 balls, four fours and four sixes) fell in the 11th over with the score at 103 but Franklin ploughed on until, because of a moment’s hesitation, he was run out by a direct hit from Keegan Meth’s throw from deep backward square.

Franklin hit 60 off 37 balls, with five sixes and three fours.