New Zealand’s openers complemented the efforts of their bowlers as they thrashed Zimbabwe by 10 wickets in a one-sided match to notch up their second World Cup win yesterday.
Paceman Tim Southee led a disciplined New Zealand bowling attack to skittle Zimbabwe for 162 after the Africans chose to bat first in the Group A match at the Sardar Patel Stadium.
Southee bowled full and fast to pick up three for 29 while captain Daniel Vettori and Kyle Mills, who returned from a back injury in place of batsman Jamie How, picked up two wickets apiece.
Photo: Reuters
Openers Martin Guptill (86 not out) and Brendon McCullum (76 not out) then came out and swatted away whatever Zimbabwe threw at them to reach the target in less than 34 overs.
Zimbabwe got off to a poor start after captain Elton Chigumbura opted to bat first on a placid pitch.
The run out of opener Charles Coventry in the second over of the morning put Zimbabwe on the back-foot early and the New Zealand bowlers ensured their opponents never recovered.
The maximum damage was done within the first 15 overs of the innings as Zimbabwe lost half their side with just 46 on the board.
Opener Brendan Taylor (44) put up some resistance and along with Greg Lamb added 40 runs for the sixth wicket, which helped Zimbabwe get past three figures.
Prosper Utseya, with a gritty knock of 36, managed to take the Africans past the 150 mark.
BANGLADESH V WINDIES
AFP, DHAKA
West Indies took a big step toward the World Cup quarter-finals by pounding Bangladesh by nine wickets in a Group B match yesterday.
Spinner Sulieman Benn grabbed 4-18, and fast bowlers Kemar Roach and skipper Darren Sammy claimed three each, to bowl out Bangladesh for their lowest-ever one-day total of 58 in 18.5 overs.
The West Indies surpassed the target in only 12.2 overs at the packed Sher-e-Bangla stadium.
Chris Gayle was unbeaten on 37 off 36 balls, while Darren Bravo made nine after Devon Smith was bowled by Naeem Islam for six.
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