New Zealand vs Zimbabwe - 3rd ODI – Match Report – Kiwi sweep ODI series, defeat Zimbabwe by a whopping 202 run
The third and final ODI between New Zealand and Zimbabwe, at Mclean Park, Napier, on February 9, culminated in a huge win for the Kiwis, who racked up a massive 373 - their highest total in the series, making it a 3-0 clean sweep.
An impressive opening partnership between http://www.senore.com/Cricket/BB-McCullum-c1129, helped propel the team to victory, with Brendan Taylor’s squad falling 202 runs short of the
target.
The openers fell in quick succession after a stellar stand, which saw seven sixes and thirteen fours - with Nicol caught lbw off http://www.senore.com/Cricket/P-Utseya-c2145, while his partner, Guptill, was stumped a run later.
Throughout their innings, the Black Caps seemed to be channeling the same energy they displayed at Whangarei. McCullum stayed on the pitch as 5 batsmen came and went, scoring a furious 119, which contributed heavily to his team’s mammoth total before being
caught on the final ball of the innings.
The batting Powerplay was taken in the 29th over, during http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JDP-Oram-c1681 and McCullum’s partnership, with the left-hander extending his good form with another brisk 25.
There were a couple of close calls during http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754’s innings, with the skipper getting lucky on 48, and Nicol being declared safe twice, but apart from the minor hiccups, there was little the Rhodesians could do to restrict the hosts.
The most dismal performance was that of bowler http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Brian-Vitori-c1198, who conceded a devastating 105 during his 9 overs, and consequently landed 4th place on the ODI record list for most runs conceded in an innings.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/S-Matsikenyeri-c2395, failed to establish a lasting partnership, sharing a meager 14 runs before they being run out and lbw respectively.
Captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KS-Williamson-c1813, with the total at 115, the remaining batsmen were cleaned up by the Kiwis effortlessly.
The day belonged to the local side, whose ruthless bowlers launched an impressive attack. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Tarun-Nethula-c2647, who debuted in the second ODI of the series, picked up his first two international
scalps. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Michael-Bates-c1947 also picked up a wicket each.
The visitors fell 202 runs short of the target, accumulating a miserable 171, and allowing the hosts to sweep the series with astonishing ease. McCullum was declared the Player of the Match.
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