3rd One-day International: Cricket Web XI vs New Zealand
at Pickford Reserve
Scorecard
Ball By Ball
In a strange game at the Pickford Reserve, Cricket Web XI eventually prevailed by 28 runs, despite a mad late charge by Jacob Oram which nearly took his team across the line. Poor lines from the seamers was punished, as was disappointing stuff from the Webhead openers, yet class won out in the end.
Michael Mason had James Stedman yorked in the first over, as the relative newcomer continued his poor form in the side. Ash Chaulk also played conspicuously, only managing 22 in 47 deliveries, a form which will surely worry the Black management ahead of the one-day final. Yet, Cricket Web XI recovered well - Martin and Oram relieved pressure as change bowlers, and though Vettori found some threat, he went over the top in his excitement and was easily punished by a rampant Cloete. Butler and Crampton put on a healthy stand of 93 to ensure a good total, before Crampton lashed out at the end to make a respectable 65 not out.
Defending 264 without the strike bowler, however, was tricky. Camps was promoted to new ball duties for the first time in quite a while, but didn't prove proficient in the role, as McCullum took charge. However, Pickup gambled on bringing in the spinners early, and Halsey and himself wrought control of the innings as New Zealand crashed to 96 for four.
Fulton and Sinclair rebuilt, but were held back by the turn, which meant missed shots were frequent. Oram came in at 151, doing his job well enough, but with ten overs to go New Zealand required 61 on a slow wicket. Pickup bowled the forty-first, taking his third wicket as Cloete plucked a ball from Sinclair with ease, and Vettori was easily tied down. Then two awful slogs from Mills and Mason brought proceedings to a close...or not. Martin missed a ball outside off, and Oram exploited Butler's second over, bashing twenty runs. Suddenly, only 37 was required.
Clapham replaced Pickup, and bowled to Martin for most of the over, thus only conceding two; it was, however, experience that sealed the matter, as Camps had Oram caught to end the game and seal the 3-0 series win.
Cricket Web XI 264 for five (50)
A Cloete 76, CR Butler 70, A Crampton 65*; MJ Mason 2/46, DL Vettori 2/51
New Zealand 236 all out (45.5)
BB McCullum 61, JDP Oram 61, PG Fulton 43; NS Pickup 6/35, TC Halsey 2/42
Cricket Web XI won by 28 runs and won the series 3-0
Man of the Match: N. S. Pickup (Cricket Web XI)