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Nathan Astle and Chris Cairns combined efforts helped New Zealand secure a six wicket win over Zimbabwe in their first Super Six match at Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Nathan Astle's 13th century in One-Day Internationals and second in his World Cup career helped him surpass 5, 500 runs. His 121-run stand with Chris Cairns, who scored 54, for the fourth wicket helped the New Zealand innings reach the target of 253.
Skipper Heath Streak and Sean Ervine displayed some superb batting in the late overs. Streak had restored the innings with a 68-run stand with Tatenda Taibu (53), after Zimbabwe had slumped to 106 for six. Later he teamed with Ervine and together they added 62 runs off 18 balls.
Streak was unbeaten on 72, while Ervine was unbeaten on 31 off 14 balls that included eight fours and three sixes.
In pursuit of Zimbabwe’s 252 for 7, skipper Stephen Fleming stroked 10 fours in his 46 from 42 balls.
After his dismissal, Astle took responsibility of the innings. Cairns and Astle brought their 50-partnership off 69 balls and the 100-runs off 129 balls. Soon Ervine bowled Cairns and then Chris Harris along with Astle took the winning runs.
However, Zimbabwe had some problems as they lost spinner Brian Murphy, who tore a calf muscle practicing in the break between innings, Whittall limped off having strained a hamstring muscle and after suffering an injury while batting Andy Flower never fielded during New Zealand's innings.
Nathan Astle's 13th century in One-Day Internationals and second in his World Cup career helped him surpass 5, 500 runs. His 121-run stand with Chris Cairns, who scored 54, for the fourth wicket helped the New Zealand innings reach the target of 253.
Skipper Heath Streak and Sean Ervine displayed some superb batting in the late overs. Streak had restored the innings with a 68-run stand with Tatenda Taibu (53), after Zimbabwe had slumped to 106 for six. Later he teamed with Ervine and together they added 62 runs off 18 balls.
Streak was unbeaten on 72, while Ervine was unbeaten on 31 off 14 balls that included eight fours and three sixes.
In pursuit of Zimbabwe’s 252 for 7, skipper Stephen Fleming stroked 10 fours in his 46 from 42 balls.
After his dismissal, Astle took responsibility of the innings. Cairns and Astle brought their 50-partnership off 69 balls and the 100-runs off 129 balls. Soon Ervine bowled Cairns and then Chris Harris along with Astle took the winning runs.
However, Zimbabwe had some problems as they lost spinner Brian Murphy, who tore a calf muscle practicing in the break between innings, Whittall limped off having strained a hamstring muscle and after suffering an injury while batting Andy Flower never fielded during New Zealand's innings.
