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Kiwis ease past Zimbabwe

Saturday, March 8 2003

These two sides qualified in third place in their respective groups. In New Zealand's case it was despite forfeiting their fixture against Kenya. In the case of Zimbabwe it was maybe thanks to England declining to play them, combined with a washout against the Pakistanis.

As a result, both teams are in a poor position with regards to points carried forward and are looking at needing at least two wins to progress to the knockout stages.

So this match was of utmost importance. New Zealand probably wouldn't fancy their chances against a formidable Australian outfit, while Zimbabwe do meet Kenya, they still needed to win at least one of their games against New Zealand and Sri Lanka, ideally both.

Zimbabwe won the toss in Bloemfontein, and decided batting first would give them the best opportunity to upset New Zealand. Craig Wishart played out the first over against Shane Bond, but Andre Adams bowled Dion Ebrahim with the first ball of the second.

Andy Flower came to the crease, and the former world number one added 54 with Wishart at four an over before the second opener was dismissed, caught by Styris at slip after following a leg cutter from Cairns (4-0-16-2), who had only bowled four overs in the early stages of this tournament, and been punished at that.

Grant Flower joined his brother, and these two have often been the reason Zimbabwe have proved competitive. On this occasion however, Grant was dismissed by Jacob Oram for 1, and when Guy Whittall was caught behind off Cairns second ball, Zimbabwe were 65-4 after losing 3 wickets in 16 balls.

Young wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu came to the crease, and all the while Andy Flower was at the other end attempting to keep things on track. On the last ball of the 22nd over, disaster struck. Flower was run out by a direct hit from Nathan Astle (whose biggest contribution was yet to come), and to make things worse still, Andy Blignaut, responsible for some destructive cameos in earlier games, was run out also having made just 4. Zimbabwe 106-6 from 24 overs.

New Zealand were rampant and probably expecting to wrap the innings up promptly before knocking off a simple target. Instead, captain Heath Streak followed yesterdays lead from messrs Ponting and Ganguly, joining with Taibu to add a vital 68 in 20 overs. Progress was slow but steady and Taibu completed a maiden 50 (off 73 balls) shortly before falling leg before to Harris for 53.

In hindsight that was the worst thing that could have happened. Sean Ervine, with two first class centuries to his name, is no mug to be batting at nine for Zimbabwe, and after one run came from the 45th over, a previously patient Streak and Ervine teed off.

Ervine hit four fours and a six on his way to 31 from just 14 deliveries, Zimbabwe rattled up 77 from the last 5 overs, including 26 from the 50th, Adams left wishing he hadn't been recalled to the attack as he finished with 1-54 from his 5 overs. Streak finished with 72* from 84 balls, a true captains knock.

So from a perilous position at the mid way point of their allocation, Zimbabwe posted a very competitive 252-7, no doubt this would test the Kiwis.

Stephen Fleming, in resurgent form, helped New Zealand get off to a flier, but Craig McMillan was caught behind off Doug Hondo in the 6th over to check their progress.

And so Astle strode to the crease. New Zealand's most successful one day batsman had endured a disappointing tournament so far. But that was about to change.

Fleming was lbw to Blignaut for 46, just as he threatened to bat Zimbabwe out of the game, and Scott Styris also fell to Blignaut, who bowled a good spell to keep the innings in check. Chris Cairns was next in. New Zealand's most idintefiable cricketer was more subdued than normal, but added a vital 121 at five an over with Astle to put New Zealand in command.

By the time he was dismissed, bowled by Ervine, he had completed his 20th one day international half century and insured one world cup campaign was still on track. Chris Harris joined Astle for the formalities, Astle completing his 13th one day international hundred just before the target was reached. It was his second in world cups, and third against Zimbabwe.

So the Kiwis march on into the toughest of fixtures against the mighty Aussies, before what is likely to be a must win game versus India. Zimbabwe need to beat Kenya on Wednesday and Sri Lanka next week to have any chance of progressing.

The future looks much brighter for the Black Caps though, with Astle and Cairns producing some form, the top order looks solid, and everyone in the side has the ability to score runs, whilst a wealth of bowlers are at the disposal of Fleming.

From Zimbabwe's point of view, reaching the Super Sixes once again has probably seen them exceed expectations. Once again. Meanwhile it's all about the longer term though. Andy Flower appears to be on his way out, but players like Blignaut, Ervine and Taibu could ensure Zimbabwe remain competitive over the coming years.

Posted by James