Related Links : New Zealand in Zimbabwe 2011/12 : Scorecard of Zimbabwe Vs New Zealand, 1st ODI
New Zealand led by a century on debut from opener Rob Nicol cruised through for a 9-wicket win in the First ODI at Harare yesterday.
Zimbabwe who won the toss and elected to bat first were in early soup at 21 for 4 in 11 overs but thanks to a brilliant Captain’s knock of 128* (from 120 balls with seven fours and five sixes) by Brendan Taylor posted a respectable 231 for 6. Wicket Keeper Forster Mutizwa gave him able support scoring 66 (from 98 balls with 3 fours and a six). For the Kiwis, debutant pacer Doug Bracewell took 3 wickets.
New Zealand chased the target of 232 in just 43.3 overs losing only a single wicket. Rob Nicol scored an unbeaten 108 in 131 balls with 11 ‘4s’ while his fellow opener Martin Guptill scored 74 in 97 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes. Rob Nicol got the Man of the Match award.