Opener Lou Vincent's 172 steered New Zealand to the second highest one-day total in history and a 192-run victory over Zimbabwe in the opening match of the triangular series on Wednesday.
New Zealand notched 397 for five as Vincent's innings at the Queens Sports Club beat countryman Glenn Turner's prior record as the highest one-day score from a New Zealander by one run.
New Zealand's total fell one run short of Sri Lanka's record 398 for five from 50 overs against Kenya at Kandy, Sri Lanka, in 1996. But the Kiwis' total came from 44 overs after the match was shortened by a 75-minute delay caused by dampness on the pitch.
PHOTO: AFP
Shane Bond and Chris Cairns took two wickets each as Zimbabwe was bowled out for 205 in 43 overs.
Only Heath Streak offered any serious resistance for the home side with 45 runs.
Vincent's first-wicket partnership of 204 with captain Stephen Fleming was the highest for any New Zealand pairing.
Vincent collected nine sixes and 16 fours in his 120-ball innings, while Fleming hit four sixes and eight fours in his 87-ball score of 93.
Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu won the toss and put New Zealand in to bat in Kevin Curran's first match since being named as the new Zimbabwe coach last week.
The next match in the six-game series is between New Zealand and India in Bulawayo on Friday.
Ashes
England captain Michael Vaughan won the toss and chose to bat in the fourth Ashes test Thursday, hoping to exploit an Australia attack missing its two most experienced fast bowlers.
Glenn McGrath was ruled out with an injured elbow less than an hour before the match at Trent Bridge, while Jason Gillespie was dropped because of his poor form.
The five-match series is level at 1-1, threatening Australia's 16-year hold on the Ashes.
While McGrath has 513 test wickets and Gillespie 251, 22-year-old fast bowler Shaun Tait will make his debut and is expected to share the new ball with Brett Lee.
Michael Kasprowicz comes in as a late replacement for McGrath for the second time in the series.
England named an unchanged team for the fourth straight match.
After losing the opening test by 239 runs, England rallied to win the second test at Edgbaston by two runs and went within a wicket of winning the third match at Old Trafford.
Tait was selected Wednesday, when McGrath was still hoping to take part in the match.
Australia physiotherapist Errol Alcott said McGrath's condition was improving, "but we don't feel he is ready to withstand the rigors of test match cricket over five days."
McGrath, 35, missed the second test when he damaged ligaments in his right ankle in training before the start at Edgbaston.
He made a faster than expected recovery for the third test, where he and Brett Lee helped Australia salvage a draw by surviving four overs when England needed only one wicket to win.
McGrath is the fourth bowler and second Australian to take more than 500 test wickets.
Neither team practiced at Trent Bridge on Wednesday because of heavy rain. More rain was forecast for later Thursday.
Australian strike bowler Glenn McGrath has been ruled out of the fourth Ashes test against England because of an elbow injury.
McGrath, who has 513 test wickets, aggravated a long-term injury in his right elbow late in the drawn third test at Old Trafford and in a weekend tour match.
He was ruled out Thursday morning, less than an hour before the start of play at Trent Bridge, and replaced by Michael Kasprowicz.
Australian team physiotherapist Errol Alcott said McGrath's condition was continuing to improve, "but we don't feel he is ready to withstand the rigors of test match cricket over five days."
It's the second time in the series that Kasprowicz has come in at the 11th hour for McGrath.
The 35-year-old McGrath damaged ligaments in his right ankle in a freak training accident just before the second test started at Edgbaston.
England won that test by two runs to level the series at 1-1. McGrath made a faster than expected return to be fit for the third test. He and Brett Lee helped Australia salvage a draw at Old Trafford, surviving four overs when England needed only one wicket to win.
McGrath is the fourth bowler and only second Australian to take more than 500 test wickets.
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