1st ODI Cricketweb XI vs New Zealand
@ Christchurch
Cricketweb XI returned to form with a comfortable eight wicket win over New Zealand in the opening One Day International in Christchurch, captain Neil Pickup continued his good run of winning the toss and had no hesitation in sending the home side in on a damp wicket.
Despite being in a good position at 194/4 New Zealand could only manage 217 all out and failed to even bat out 41 overs, wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum continued his excellent form from the Twenty20 by scoring a patient 68, his knock came off 90 balls and included just four boundaries. Kane Williamson impressed on debut to finish unbeaten with a better than a run a ball half century. The star of the morning session was no doubt Sean Fuller, the world class all rounder picked up six Kiwi wickets in his spell and he certainly deserved his career best figures of 6/34, quickman Kevin Gough was next best of the bowlers and he certainly performed better than his figures suggest.
Cricketweb XI's opening pair of James Stedman and Nick Scott set out to put together a good stand and thats exactly what they did, the score was 82 before Scott fell for a well made 40 and he showed he looked well at home in international cricket, his more experience partner batted throughout the innings and was unbeaten on 88 when the winning runs were scored, Chris Butler continued his excellent tour by making a quickfire 50 not out. Daniel Vettori was the only Kiwi bowler to look threatening but even then he could only manage one wicket as he bowled his ten overs straight through.
New Zealand 217 (40.4)
BB McCullum 68(90), KS Williamson 58*(54), SE Fuller 6/34
Cricketweb XI 218/2 (40)
JE Stedman 88*(120), CR Butler 50*(44), DR Tuffey 1/41
Cricketweb XI won by 8 wickets
Man of the Match: SE Fuller (Cricketweb XI)