New Zealand beat Zimbabwe by nine wickets Thursday in the first one—day international at Harare Sports Club on Thursday.
Scores-
New Zealand 232—1 in 43.3 overs (Rob Nicol 108 not out, Martin Guptill 74) def. Zimbabwe 231—6 in 50 overs (Brendan Taylor 128 not out, Forster Mutizwa 69; Doug Bracewell 3—55) by nine wickets.
Zimbabwe batting report:
Captain Brendan Taylor hit an undefeated century and Forster Mutizwa scored a half—century Thursday as Zimbabwe totaled 231—6 in the first one—day international against New Zealand at Harare Sports Club.
Taylor and Mutizwa batted responsibly and showed great intent, finding the gaps with some easy and punishing the bad deliveries with some innovative shots.
Taylor, 128 not out, shared a fifth wicket stand of 156 runs with Forster Mutizwa (69) to rescue their team after collapsing to 4—21 in the 11th over.
Taylor faced 120 balls and smashed seven boundaries and five sixes as he rode his luck after being dropped on 58 by Andy McKay on the boundary off Nathan McCullum.
Mutizwa played a crucial cameo, hitting three fours and a six in his 98 balls before getting out to a thin outside edge off James Franklin to wicketkeeper Brendon MCullum.
Pace bowler Doug Bracewell took three top—order wickets in his New Zealand debut to record figures of 3—55.
Bracewell first removed opener Vusi Sibanda (5) with an accurate delivery that was out—side edged behind to keeper Brendan McCullum.
Hamilton Masakadza was out for a duck after he was clean—bowled by a fuller Bracewell ball to begin the slid.
Bracewell struck again when Chamu Chibhabha on 5 nicked a rising delivery behind to McCullum.
Wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu then miscued a cover drive off James Franklin to be caught by Kane Williamson.
The only other wicket to fall for Zimbabwe was Elton Chigumbura, who fell to Andy McKay for 9.