Zimbabwe v http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754: 1st ODI at Harare – First Innings Report
Courtesy to an excellent 156-run-partnerhip between Brendon http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045 have managed to reach 231 while batting first in the opening One Day International (ODI) against New Zealand, at Harare Sports Club, on Thursday, October 20,
2011.
Zimbabwe’s final total was a massive improvement after losing first four wickets for just 21 after 11 overs. The top-order batsmen displayed a dismal show and gave away their wickets cheaply before the skipper stepped up and lifted his side to a decent score
by lashing a phenomenal ton.
A wonderful track on a hot day at Harare, the conditions were ideal for batting. Therefore, the Zimbabwean skipper asked his batting unit to show their magic after winning the toss.
Destroying Taylor’s hopes, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/T-Taibu-c2630, who returned to the troop after missing the T20 battle, also failed to spark
and lost his wicket after adding four runs to the total.
The revival came when Taylor and Mutizwa joined hands at the wicket and showed a lot of determination against New Zealand's first-class bowling attack.
Both competitors occupied the crease well at the initial part of their innings and subsequently started playing a few strokes. The two batsmen handled Kiwi spinners, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/NL-McCullum-c2120 outstandingly, pushing the ball into the gaps for singles
and doubles.
The pressure started mounting up on the Kiwis when Taylor and Mutizwa, began playing aggressive cricket after taking the third powerplay in the 36th over. Things were going in an ideal way for the home side until the 42nd over when
the wicket-keeper batsman fell after hitting a superb knock of 69 runs off 98 balls.
However, Taylor was there to go for a full-frontal assault in the death overs. The skipper remained subdued until reaching his 100, but started playing aggressively afterwards.
Thanks to Taylor’s brilliant batting, the Rhodesians collected 26 runs in the last couple of overs, including Bracewell’s final over for 21 runs.
While Taylor clattered 128 from 120 balls, his side reached 231 for six after 50 overs.
From New Zealand bowling attack, the debutant Bracewell grabbed three while http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Andrew-John-McKay-c44446 returned with two and one scalp respectively.
To carry on with the winning momentum, the Black Caps need 232 at an asking rate of a little over 4.5.
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