Guptill shines in New Zealand win Friday, 03 February 2012 23:36

New Zealand’s Martin Guptil fields in the first One-Day International match against Zimbabwe in Dunedin yesterday.

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

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

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 promising all-rounder Rob Nicol took four wickets for 19 in his fourth One-Day International.

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

Guptill was the only batman who managed to break the shackles and his 88-run partnership with Williamson proved crucial in steadying the New Zealand innings. He brought up a half century off 44 balls, including seven fours, but fell when a lapse in concentration saw him clean bowled by Elton Chigumbura.

Chigumbura struck again four overs later, enticing debutant Tom Latham into an attempted cover drive which edged to wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu.

Unlike the Napier Test, Zimbabwe maintained the pressure and were rewarded when a diving Dean Brownlie was run out for 19 after Regis Chakabva hit the stumps from side-on with a sharp piece of fielding, leaving the hosts on 166-6.

Zimbabwe suffered a horror start to be 15-3 in the sixth over, with openers Stuart Matsikenyeri (1) and Hamilton Masakadza (7) both out cheaply. Taylor, who described the Test loss as “a big smack in the face”, gave Zimbabwe some hope in the middle order, forging partnerships of 52 and 30 with Tatenda Taibu and Malcolm Waller.AFP

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