DHAKA: New Zeeland secured a three wicket win over Scotland, chasing in a small target of 143 runs in their World Cup Pool A match at Dunedin’s University Oval Tuesday morning.
Scotland was all out for 142 after being sent into bat against New Zealand. The Back lost seven wickets to win the match.
New Zeeland’s KS Williamson scored 38 runs off 45 balls. GD Elliott added 29 runs off 31 balls.
MJ Guptill, Kiwi captain BB McCullum and L Ronchi contributed 17, 15 and 12 runs respectively. Daniel Vettori finishes the job with a thick edge over the top of the slips.
New Zeeland played 24.5 out of 50overs to reach the victory. It was a wholly unconvincing batting display from the hosts and they have their second of their tournament, taking them to the top of Pool A.
Scotland’s I Wardlaw and JH Davey took three wickets each and RM Haq bagged a wicket.
Earlier, Scotland was all out for 142 after being sent into bat against New Zealand.
The Scots were reduced to 4-12 early in their innings as strike Kiwi bowlers Trent Boult (2-21) and Tim Southee (2-35) were both on hat-tricks after taking wickets in consecutive balls.
Their hopes of being assertive were kneecapped by New Zealand's new ball pair Trent Boult and Tim Southee, who had the Scots 12 for four inside the fifth over.
Boult produced two sharp inswinging deliveries to remove Calum MacLeod and Hamish Gardiner with his first two legitimate deliveries but missed a hat-trick.
Southee got rid of Kyle Coetzer and captain Preston Mommsen to also sit on a hat-trick, which was denied.
The only partnership of substance came from stocky lefthander Matt Machan, who made a fine 56, and Richie Berrington, who hit 50, then holed out to fine leg next ball.
Both played some handsome, bold strokes in putting on 97 in 95 minutes but once they were out, Scotland faded away. The last six wickets fell for 33 in 8.2 overs. The innings lasted just 36.2 overs.
It was Scotland's best total against New Zealand in three attempts.
Left armer Corey Anderson and veteran spinner Dan Vettori took three wickets apiece, while Boult and Southee had two each.
For the third time in the innings a New Zealand bowler takes back-to-back wickets but no hat-trick chance for Vettori as his third wicket ends the Scotland innings. The final five wickets went for just 33.
Winning captain Brendon McCullum said: “Credit to them to posting a good total that was tricky on this kind of surface. Pleased with the result in the end, but we definitely showed nerves towards the end. We will take the result, and points from the game. They are world-class bowlers (Boult, Southee), and they have stood up for a long time in Test cricket for us. It is outstanding when you are able to win the toss, choose to bowl, and then be backed up.”
“Really good performance with the ball and bat, but we need to improve on our batting. It should be a great challenge when we play the next one as the surfaces and conditions will also change. We are going to have to play incredibly well. This is certainly the strongest side I have ever played in,” he added.
Defeated captain Preston Mommsen said: “Tough start for us as we were unfortunate to lose a few early ones, but credit to Machan and Richie for batting through that difficult period. It showed that when we put the ball in the right areas we got our rewards.”
“We are very proud of the fight we put up and the character these boys have shown.” We are not shy of the fact that we are very inexperienced team at performing at the World Cup. Glad to get this first one out of the way, and now we are ready for England,” he added.
** Kiwis cruising along in chase of 143
** Scotland all out for 142 runs
BDST: 0948 HRS, FEB 17, 2015
