Match State: Match start scheduled for 0800 GMT (10:00 local)
welcome to CricInfo.com's coverage of the 3rd ICC World Cup 2003
Super Six stage clash between New Zealand and Zimbabwe at
Bloemfontein
it's a hot day already, and expected to get much hotter, and to
little surprise, the captain winning the toss has chosen to bat
first, which in this case is Heath Streak for Zimbabwe
it's a must-win match for both teams, stuck at the bottom of the
Super Six table, the loser in big trouble from here on in, but the
winner will make a big stride towards a semi-final berth
Zimbabwe have the wood over their more fancied opponents in terms
of recent head-to-head results, winning their two most recent
series (one in Zimbabwe, one in New Zealand), including 4 of the
last 6 matches, but New Zealand are the form team of the two
New Zealand have named an unchanged line-up from that which beat
Canada in its final Pool B match, while Zimbabwe have brought in
Brian Murphy in place of Douglas Marillier
it'll be Craig Wishart to take first strike to Shane Bond, bowling
from the Loch Logan End, with Dion Ebrahim at the non-striker's
end
0.1 Bond to Wishart, no run, great start by Bond! shortish ball just
outside off stump, Wishart dangerously shoulders arms and sees it
cut back a mile, just shaving wide of the top of off stump,
through to the keeper, fine start
0.2 Bond to Wishart, no run, a bit fuller this time outside off stump,
gets some movement back in again, but this time it's better
covered up by Wishart, thrusting the front pad forward to shoulder
arms, through to the keeper
0.3 Bond to Wishart, no run, oooh! another fine ball, beats Wishart all
ends up, cutting back off a good length and quite straight on off
stump, cuts Wishart in half, flicks the top of the leg, through to
the keeper, appeal for caught behind but umpire Hair wisely says
no
0.4 Bond to Wishart, no run, yet another great ball from Bond, shorter
and lifting just outside off stump, has Wishart well tucked up,
jumping right back in defence, fends it down from an inside edge,
just falling away past leg stump, living dangerously so far
0.5 Bond to Wishart, no run, Bond right on the money early on, good
length ball cutting back in from outside off stump, shoulders
arms, rather confident of where his off stump is, happily sees it
pass just fractionally wide through to the keeper
0.6 Bond to Wishart, no run, quick, good length ball, much straighter
and cutting back in again, well tucked up, taken high on the pad
and it drops down in close on the off side, excellent opening over
from Bond
End of over 1 (maiden) Zimbabwe 0/0 (RR: 0.00)
SE Bond 1-1-0-0 - Loch Logan End
DD Ebrahim 0* (0b) CB Wishart 0* (6b)
Andre Adams to open the bowling from the Willows End
1.1 Adams to Ebrahim, wide: FOUR, a dramatically different start from
Adams, full, wide, swinging even further away outside off stump,
Ebrahim flashes at it, swing and a miss, too wide for him, and too
wide for McCullum too, despairingly diving across to his right,
gets a bit of his
right glove to it, but not enough to stop its progress down to the
straight third man boundary
1.1 Adams to Ebrahim, OUT: the mercurial Adams shows yet again why he
is a very hard player to peg into a certain hole, coming up with a
wonderful response, shortish lifting ball outside off stump,
Ebrahim pokes at it loosely, chopping a thick bottom edge back on
to his
Zimbabwe 5/1, Partnership of 5
DD Ebrahim b Adams 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)
CB Wishart 0* (6b) AR Adams 0.1-0-5-1 (1w)
stumps, middle stump clean knocked out of the ground and Zimbabwe
off to a shaky start
Andy Flower comes out to the crease rather early
1.2 Adams to A Flower, wide: no run, Adams comes up with another wide,
this time very wide outside off stump to the left-hander, left
well alone through to the keeper
1.2 Adams to A Flower, no run, better, shortish, straight ball, seaming
back into the left-hander, taken high on the pad, rebounds away
towards point
1.3 Adams to A Flower, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump,
compactly defends from the crease, steering it away to point
1.4 Adams to A Flower, no run, good shortish ball angling away a bit
wider outside off stump, Flower has a bit of a nibble at it late,
the angle does him, through to the keeper
1.5 Adams to A Flower, no run, full outside off stump, nudged quietly
into the covers, straight to the fielder, just watching it early
on is Flower
1.6 Adams to A Flower, no run, fullish ball in a good channel just
outside off stump, Flower watchfully leaves it well alone through
to the keeper
End of over 2 (6 runs) Zimbabwe 6/1 (RR: 3.00)
AR Adams 1-0-6-1 (2w) - Willows End
CB Wishart 0* (6b) A Flower 0* (5b)
2.1 Bond to Wishart, no run, good sharp short rising ball cutting back
in from outside off stump, Wishart has to rock his upper torso
back out of the road to let it pass through to the keeper
2.2 Bond to Wishart, two runs, fullish ball swinging into the legs,
Wishart plays it rather late, just managing to squirt it away
behind square, into space to get off the mark as square leg and
long leg converge on it in the deep
2.3 Bond to Wishart, no run, very quick, tight fullish ball swinging in
on off stump, solidly defends from the crease, playing it up
towards mid off, 154kph for Bond, his quickest of the World Cup
2.4 Bond to Wishart, no run, full outside off stump, coming back in
late, safely shoulders arms to leave alone through to the keeper
2.5 Bond to Wishart, one run, fullish ball swinging in on off stump,
defends from the crease with a straight but with some uncertainty,
plays it into the back of his front leg and it drops down in close
on the leg side, smart call for a quick single by Flower
2.6 Bond to A Flower, wide: no run, full and wide, angling further away
outside off stump, left alone through to the keeper
2.6 Bond to A Flower, no run, shortish ball angling away outside off
stump, Flower looks to cut but is done by a slight lack of bounce,
keeper McCullum awkwardly stops it on the bounce
End of over 3 (4 runs) Zimbabwe 10/1 (RR: 3.33)
SE Bond 2-1-4-0 (1w) - Loch Logan End
CB Wishart 3* (11b) A Flower 0* (6b)
3.1 Adams to Wishart, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump, no
seam movement, shoulders arms to let it go straight through to the
keeper
3.2 Adams to Wishart, one run, good shortish ball just shaping away
outside off stump, Wishart pushes at it from back in the crease,
getting a thick outside edge well wide of second slip, down to
third man
3.3 Adams to A Flower, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump,
watchfully deflects it away to point in defence
3.4 Adams to A Flower, one run, shortish, straight ball, just erring to
leg stump, well tucked off the hip down towards fine leg
3.5 Adams to Wishart, no run, good tight shortish lifting ball on off
stump, forced down into the ground, away to point in defence
3.6 Adams to Wishart, FOUR, shot! a bit short and straight and it sits
up, stands tall on one leg and pulls it away over midwicket, not
perfectly timed but does enough to get to the rope, teasing the
chasing and sliding fielder Vettori along the way
End of over 4 (6 runs) Zimbabwe 16/1 (RR: 4.00)
AR Adams 2-0-12-1 (2w) - Willows End
A Flower 1* (8b) CB Wishart 8* (15b 1x4)
4.1 Bond to A Flower, no run, good length, sharply rising delivery
outside off stump, leaves it well alone through to the keeper, who
takes it rather high up to the body, good carry on this occasion
4.2 Bond to A Flower, no run, lovely ball! back of a length and angling
right across the left-hander just a fraction outside off stump,
Flower fences at it, playing away from his body, well beaten
through to the keeper
4.3 Bond to A Flower, no run, and again! a fraction fuller, but a very
similar delivery, pitching straight and angling just across and
away from the left-hander, Flower has a little nibble, through to
the keeper, though the carry isn't quite so good this time,
inconsistent so far
4.4 Bond to A Flower, no run, short and seaming much wider outside off
stump, Flower plays a crisp cut but can't get any value for it as
he chased after it, playing it powerfully straight to Harris who
fields well at point
4.5 Bond to A Flower, FOUR, shot! overpitched and swinging away outside
off stump, drives through the line, elegantly timing it through
the vacant covers, no need to run for that one
4.6 Bond to A Flower, no run, fullish ball angling away wider outside
off stump, jumps back in the crease and hangs the bat well out of
the road, leaving to the keeper
End of over 5 (4 runs) Zimbabwe 20/1 (RR: 4.00)
SE Bond 3-1-8-0 (1w) - Loch Logan End
CB Wishart 8* (15b 1x4) A Flower 5* (14b 1x4)
5.1 Adams to Wishart, wide: no run
5.1 Adams to Wishart, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, steered
away down to third man
5.2 Adams to A Flower, no run, good shortish ball, straightening off
the seam, Flower looks to free the arms but suddenly finds himself
cramped up again, just manages to squeeze it down behind point in
defence
5.3 Adams to A Flower, no run, good fullish ball angling away outside
off stump, jumps well forward, shoulders arms through to the
keeper
5.4 Adams to A Flower, wide: no run, full and swinging away down the
leg side, left alone through to the keeper, Adams struggling with
his line early on
5.4 Adams to A Flower, no run, shortish ball angling away outside off
stump, leaves well alone through to the keeper
5.5 Adams to A Flower, one run, shortish ball, just erring a little
straight again, able to clip it off the legs, down towards long
leg, looking for a second but Bond makes good ground in from the
boundary rope to fire it in and prevent a second
5.6 Adams to Wishart, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, cuts it
hard into the ground, bounces away just wide of gully, Oram gives
chase
End of over 6 (5 runs) Zimbabwe 25/1 (RR: 4.17)
AR Adams 3-0-17-1 (4w) - Willows End
CB Wishart 10* (17b 1x4) A Flower 6* (18b 1x4)
6.1 Bond to Wishart, no run, good length shortish ball cutting back in
from outside off stump, jabs it down towards square leg in defence
6.2 Bond to Wishart, no run, full and widish outside off stump, left
well alone through to the keeper, just gets away with it as the
delivery just cuts inside the painted wide markers on the crease
6.3 Bond to Wishart, no run, digs in a good bouncer, short and
straight, still seams dramatically back in towards the batsman,
Wishart ducks well underneath it as it follows him, through to the
keeper
6.4 Bond to Wishart, no run, shortish ball seaming into the body, drops
away from the top of the pads towards midwicket as he looks to
whip it away square
6.5 Bond to Wishart, no run, shortish, straight ball, hops on the
crease to play it down towards mid on
6.6 Bond to Wishart, three runs, shot! and fielding! full and swinging
into the toes, clipped away through wide mid on, Adams has a very
long chase from inside the circle, does well to hunt it down,
scoop it back inside the rope and return to save one run
End of over 7 (3 runs) Zimbabwe 28/1 (RR: 4.00)
SE Bond 4-1-11-0 (1w) - Loch Logan End
CB Wishart 13* (23b 1x4) A Flower 6* (18b 1x4)
Jacob Oram replaces Adams at the Willows End
7.1 Oram to Wishart, no run, tight shortish ball just outside off
stump, stands tall on the crease to defend down into the covers
7.2 Oram to Wishart, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, watchfully
shoulders arms, leaving alone through to the keeper
7.3 Oram to Wishart, no run, good shortish lifting ball off the deck,
some width outside off stump to tempt the slashing cut, Wishart
duly obliges, playing and missing through to the keeper
7.4 Oram to Wishart, no run, shortish ball seaming back in to the body,
looks to tuck it square off the hip but misplays it, playing too
soon, squirted away towards point from a leading edge
7.5 Oram to Wishart, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, gets
right in behind it, defending from the crease with a straight bat,
played back to the bowler
7.6 Oram to Wishart, no run, digs in a short rising ball outside off
stump, shies away from it, happy to let it go through to the
keeper
End of over 8 (maiden) Zimbabwe 28/1 (RR: 3.50)
JDP Oram 1-1-0-0 - Willows End
A Flower 6* (18b 1x4) CB Wishart 13* (29b 1x4)
8.1 Bond to A Flower, no run, fullish ball moving away just outside off
stump, shoulders arms through to the keeper
8.2 Bond to A Flower, no run, great ball from Bond! fullish and
swinging prodigiously across the left-hander, plays a feeble half
drive at it from the crease, bat well away from body, through the
gate and just shaves wide of off stump, through to the keeper
8.3 Bond to A Flower, no run, similar delivery, but this time Flower
more confidently stretches forward, covering up in defence,
pushing it into the covers with bat/pad tucked together, closing
that gap
8.4 Bond to A Flower, no run, very similar again, a little shorter,
just outside off stump, props well forward, drops it into the
turf, towards point in defence
8.5 Bond to A Flower, FOUR, oooh! fortunate for Flower, good fullish
ball swinging away outside off stump, drives at it away from the
body, gets a thick outside edge, flying wide of third slip, racing
fine of third man to the boundary
8.6 Bond to A Flower, no run, fielding! shortish ball outside off
stump, cuts strongly into the deck, bounces up high, McMillan does
rather well to leap up and pluck it one-handed above his head at
backward point
End of over 9 (4 runs) Zimbabwe 32/1 (RR: 3.56)
SE Bond 5-1-15-0 (1w) - Loch Logan End
CB Wishart 13* (29b 1x4) A Flower 10* (24b 2x4)
9.1 Oram to Wishart, no run, nice shortish ball lifting off the pitch
outside off stump, has Wishart fishing at it, beaten through to
the keeper
9.2 Oram to Wishart, no run, fuller and rather wide outside off stump,
Wishart fails to cash in, forced into the ground and tamely
bounces away to cover point as all the pace is lost from the
stroke
9.3 Oram to Wishart, no run, tight, good length ball on off stump,
shuffles forward, pushing it in close on the off side in defence
9.4 Oram to Wishart, no run, shortish, straight ball on off stump,
watchfully defends from the crease, taps it straight back to the
bowler
9.5 Oram to Wishart, no run, lovely shortish ball in the channel just
outside off stump, Wishart has a dabble at it, looking to run it
away to third man, the away movement does him, through to the
keeper
9.6 Oram to Wishart, no run, shortish ball on off stump, stands tall on
the crease to force it down to point in defence, a second straight
maiden for Oram
End of over 10 (maiden) Zimbabwe 32/1 (RR: 3.20)
JDP Oram 2-2-0-0 - Willows End
A Flower 10* (24b 2x4) CB Wishart 13* (35b 1x4)
10.1 Bond to A Flower, no run, sharp short rising ball outside off
stump, Flower sways back out of the line to let it pass through to
the keeper
10.2 Bond to A Flower, legbye: one run, shortish, straight ball, no
movement this time, taken high on the pad and drops down in close
on the leg side, good quick single taken as it drops into space
10.3 Bond to Wishart, no run, oooh! good shortish ball coming back in
from outside off stump, Wishart hangs the bat out to dry, loosely
outside off stump, just brings it back to defend belatedly,
getting a big thick inside edge into the front pad, drops away
wide of the stumps
10.4 Bond to Wishart, two runs, short ball sits up on off stump, pulls,
though mistimes it a little, drags it wide of Adams at mid on who
gives chase
10.5 Bond to Wishart, FOUR, shot! digs it in too short again, Wishart
latches on to it very well, pulling powerfully down through vacant
midwicket, cracking shot
10.6 Bond to Wishart, no run, fullish ball swinging in from just outside
off stump, firmly stroked along the ground straight up to mid off
End of over 11 (7 runs) Zimbabwe 39/1 (RR: 3.55)
SE Bond 6-1-21-0 (1w) - Loch Logan End
A Flower 10* (26b 2x4) CB Wishart 19* (39b 2x4)
11.1 Oram to A Flower, no run, good length ball angling away from the
left-hander outside off stump, lunges forward at it, beaten
through to the keeper
11.2 Oram to A Flower, one run, shortish, straight ball, tucked off the
hip down towards backward square leg, at last Oram concedes a run
off his bowling
11.3 Oram to Wishart, one run, again a shortish ball which is just a
touch too straight, well turned away off the body towards long
leg, Cairns in from the rope smartly to prevent thoughts of a
second
11.4 Oram to A Flower, three runs, fullish, straight ball, well clipped
off the legs through vacant midwicket, a long chase for Astle from
square leg, just scoops it back inside the rope to save a run
11.5 Oram to Wishart, two runs, shortish ball just outside off stump,
steers a thick outside edge just wide of second slip, down towards
Bond at third man, having to come much finer to field it, allowing
a smart second run by Wishart to be taken
11.6 Oram to Wishart, no run, shortish, straight ball on off stump,
props forward, solidly defending back to the bowler
End of over 12 (7 runs) Zimbabwe 46/1 (RR: 3.83)
JDP Oram 3-2-7-0 - Willows End
A Flower 14* (29b 2x4) CB Wishart 22* (42b 2x4)
Chris Cairns on to bowl at the Loch Logan End, replacing Bond
12.1 Cairns to A Flower, one run, comes around the wicket to the left-
hander to begin with, short ball angling in from wide on the
crease, straying on to the body, strongly pulled off one leg, but
straight down to long leg
12.2 Cairns to Wishart, FOUR, another loose start from Cairns, tries a
slower ball a bit early, short and sits up outside off stump,
pulled high over midwicket, a couple of bounces and it rolls away
to the rope to bring up the Zimbabwe 50
12.3 Cairns to Wishart, FOUR, and another! short ball sits up outside
off stump, pulled powerfully through wide midwicket, McMillan is
posted at deep square leg but can't get around to cut it off,
another nightmare start for Cairns
12.4 Cairns to Wishart, no run, more on target from Cairns, shortish
ball just outside off stump, steers it down to point in defence
12.5 Cairns to Wishart, no run, another slower ball, this time it's much
fuller, though quite wide outside off stump, Wishart tries to slam
it away through the covers, swing and miss through to the keeper
12.6 Cairns to Wishart, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
steered away to point in defence, Cairns comes back decently
End of over 13 (9 runs) Zimbabwe 55/1 (RR: 4.23)
CL Cairns 1-0-9-0 - Loch Logan End
A Flower 15* (30b 2x4) CB Wishart 30* (47b 4x4)
13.1 Oram to A Flower, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
steered down to backward point in defence
13.2 Oram to A Flower, FOUR, shot! overpitched and wide outside off
stump, crunched away through the covers, Vettori makes a great
chasing attempt, but can't scoop it back inside the rope, falls
over the line with the ball
13.3 Oram to A Flower, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump,
comes across into line, watchfully defends up towards mid on
13.4 Oram to A Flower, no run, full and straight, firmly driven straight
up towards mid off, looking for a quick run but it isn't on, early
call from Flower
13.5 Oram to A Flower, no run, digs in a good bouncer, Flower looks to
hook it but is a bit slower to react, hurries through and just
passes over his shoulder through to the keeper as he misses it
13.6 Oram to A Flower, no run, beaten! lovely shortish ball angling away
outside off stump, has Flower groping after it, well beaten
through to the keeper
End of over 14 (4 runs) Zimbabwe 59/1 (RR: 4.21)
JDP Oram 4-2-11-0 - Willows End
CB Wishart 30* (47b 4x4) A Flower 19* (36b 3x4)
14.1 Cairns to Wishart, no run, good length fullish ball, straightening
off the seam outside off stump, Wishart has a bit of a poke at it,
through to the keeper
14.2 Cairns to Wishart, no run, tight shortish ball angling in on off
stump, watchfully defends from the crease, playing it up to mid
off
14.3 Cairns to Wishart, OUT: Cairns strikes! and isn't he relieved about
that ... ecstatic more like! shortish ball lifting just outside
off stump, Wishart pokes at it again, isn't so lucky to miss it on
this occasion, getting a thick edge to Styris at first slip,
taking
Zimbabwe 59/2, Partnership of 54
CB Wishart c Styris b Cairns 30 (50b 4x4 0x6)
A Flower 19* (36b 3x4) CL Cairns 1.3-0-9-1
it well high up, New Zealand break through to end a 54-run stand
which was building into something dangerous
Grant Flower comes out to the middle to join his brother at the
crease
14.4 Cairns to GW Flower, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
angling a little back in, left safely alone through to the keeper
14.5 Cairns to GW Flower, legbye: one run, very full and angling in on
the toes, just manages to squeeze it away behind square from the
pad, Adams chases it down smartly from square leg
14.6 Cairns to A Flower, wide: no run, shortish ball from around the
wicket, angling down the leg side, left alone through to the
keeper
14.6 Cairns to A Flower, no run, good length fullish ball outside off
stump, shoulders arms through to the keeper
End of over 15 (2 runs) Zimbabwe 61/2 (RR: 4.07)
CL Cairns 2-0-10-1 (1w) - Loch Logan End
GW Flower 0* (2b) A Flower 19* (37b 3x4)
15.1 Oram to GW Flower, no run, good length ball outside off stump,
shoulders arms through to the keeper
15.2 Oram to GW Flower, no run, good ball! consistent line and length,
shortish and rising, straightening off the seam just outside off
stump, is beaten through to the keeper
15.3 Oram to GW Flower, one run, fullish ball outside off stump, props
well forward, steers it just behind point, working a quick single
as Harris has to dive across to field to his left
15.4 Oram to A Flower, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, cut
down to Cairns at third man for an easy single
15.5 Oram to GW Flower, OUT: another one bites the dust, good sharp
short rising ball on off stump, Flower looks to hook but tries to
bail out as it hurries on quicker than excepted, gets a big top
edge, flies straight down to Cairns who takes it safely at long
leg
Zimbabwe 63/3, Partnership of 4
GW Flower c Cairns b Oram 1 (6b 0x4 0x6)
A Flower 20* (38b 3x4) JDP Oram 4.5-2-13-1
time for a drinks break at the fall of wicket, New Zealand back in
control just as it threatened to get away from them
Match State: Drinks
Guy Whittall the new batsman, at the non-striker's end as the
batsmen crossed during the catch
15.6 Oram to A Flower, one run, shortish ball just straying to leg
stump, glanced down to fine leg to retain the strike
End of over 16 (3 runs) Zimbabwe 64/3 (RR: 4.00)
JDP Oram 5-2-14-1 - Willows End
A Flower 21* (39b 3x4) GJ Whittall 0* (0b)
16.1 Cairns to A Flower, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, props
forward, easing it away towards cover point, Whittall is rather
nervous and is eager for a quick run, but is sent back in no
uncertain terms, Harris just fires wide of the stumps as he swoops
quickly on the ball
16.2 Cairns to A Flower, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
steers it down to backward point on the bounce
16.3 Cairns to A Flower, no run, good ball! shortish ball angling in
from around the wicket, Flower plays down on it late in defence as
it comes back a long way, there's a deflection through to the
keeper who takes it well diving to his right, appeal for caught
behind but umpire Hair
rightly rules it was a brush of the back leg, and not inside edge
16.4 Cairns to A Flower, one run, another good delivery, fullish outside
off stump and tempting the drive, scoops it uppishly away through
extra cover, just playing it short and wide of the diving cover
fielder, escapes with a single
16.5 Cairns to Whittall, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
stretches forward, shouldering arms as it swings away late through
to the keeper
16.6 Cairns to Whittall, OUT: yet another one bites the dust, Zimbabwe
in a mini-slump as Cairns weaves his magical touch with the ball
at last, fullish ball just outside off stump, Whittall foolishly
plays across the line second ball, trying to drive through mid on,
gets a
Zimbabwe 65/4, Partnership of 2
GJ Whittall c McCullum b Cairns 0 (2b 0x4 0x6)
End of over 17 (1 run) Zimbabwe 65/4 (RR: 3.82)
CL Cairns 3-0-11-2 (1w) - Loch Logan End
A Flower 22* (43b 3x4)
thin outside edge, McCullum dives to his right to take a fine catch
low to the turf
Tatenda Taibu the new batsman
17.1 Oram to A Flower, no run, fullish ball angling away outside off
stump, leans well forward, shoulders arms through to the keeper
17.2 Oram to A Flower, no run, good length fullish ball angling away
just outside off stump, shuffles well forward before shouldering
arms to the keeper again
17.3 Oram to A Flower, no run, tight shortish ball just outside off
stump, chops it hard into the ground, bounces straight up to gully
17.4 Oram to A Flower, no run, fullish, straight ball, Flower is a
little uncertain, drawn forward in defence, taken on the front pad
and balloons up in close on the off side
17.5 Oram to A Flower, one run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
well guided away through backward point, Cairns races around from
third man to fire it back and prevent a second
17.6 Oram to Taibu, no run, good shortish ball lifting just outside off
stump, fends it down in close on the off side in defence
End of over 18 (1 run) Zimbabwe 66/4 (RR: 3.67)
JDP Oram 6-2-15-1 - Willows End
A Flower 23* (48b 3x4) T Taibu 0* (1b)
18.1 Cairns to A Flower, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
guides it straight down to third man for the easy single
18.2 Cairns to Taibu, no run, shortish lifting straight ball, tucks it
down in close on the leg side in defence
18.3 Cairns to Taibu, no run, shortish rising ball outside off stump,
stands tall on the crease to force it down towards cover point
18.4 Cairns to Taibu, three runs, shot! and fielding! shortish lifting
ball just outside off stump, times it beautifully through point as
he steers it down through that region with minimal effort, Vettori
really has to hurry around from third man, pulling it back inside
the rope by
inches to save a run, great effort
18.5 Cairns to A Flower, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
leans forward, shouldering arms through to the keeper
18.6 Cairns to A Flower, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, cuts
it out to McMillan at deep cover to retain the strike
End of over 19 (5 runs) Zimbabwe 71/4 (RR: 3.74)
CL Cairns 4-0-16-2 (1w) - Loch Logan End
A Flower 25* (51b 3x4) T Taibu 3* (4b)
19.1 Oram to A Flower, one run, slower, full ball drifting wide outside
off stump, steers it down to third man along the ground
19.2 Oram to Taibu, FOUR, oooh! good short rising ball just outside off
stump, Taibu pushes away from the body at it, gets a big thick
outside edge, flies through vacant second slip down to the rope
... right between the first and third slip fielders in place
19.3 Oram to Taibu, no run, shortish lifting straight ball, shuffles
across the crease, tucks it down towards square leg
19.4 Oram to Taibu, no run, fuller ball just outside off stump,
watchfully nudges it into the covers in defence
19.5 Oram to Taibu, one run, shortish lifting straight ball, hops on the
crease, inside edging into the top of the pad, drops down in close
square on the off side, good sharp quick single called through for
by Flower
19.6 Oram to A Flower, wide: no run, digs in a rather short ball on leg
stump, Flower shies away from it, left alone through to the
keeper, belated signal of wide from umpire Koertzen
19.6 Oram to A Flower, one run, shortish, straight ball, hops on the
crease, taps it down in close on the leg side, very smartly played
for a quick single to retain the strike
End of over 20 (8 runs) Zimbabwe 79/4 (RR: 3.95)
JDP Oram 7-2-23-1 (1w) - Willows End
A Flower 27* (53b 3x4) T Taibu 8* (8b 1x4)
Bond returns, replacing Cairns at the Loch Logan End
20.1 Bond to A Flower, no run, fair length ball straying down the leg
side, gets away with it as it brushes the thigh pad through to the
keeper
20.2 Bond to A Flower, legbye: one run, similar again, this time the
deflection is chunkier, glanced wide of the keeper off the hip,
down towards fine leg, looking for a second but is smartly fielded
to prevent it
20.3 Bond to Taibu, two runs, good fullish ball outside off stump,
drives uppishly through extra cover, not in control of the stroke
as he plays away from his body, but plays it into a gap and gets
away with it
20.4 Bond to Taibu, no run, fair length ball with some width outside off
stump, Taibu flashes loosely at it, missing through to the keeper
20.5 Bond to Taibu, no run, good length fullish ball tempting Taibu to
drive outside off stump, wisely shoulders arms through to the
keeper
20.6 Bond to Taibu, wide: no run, strays rather wide outside off stump,
left well alone through to the keeper, wides helping the Zimbabwe
tally so far this innings, up to 12 now
20.6 Bond to Taibu, FOUR, shot! this time it's overpitched, wide outside
off stump, plays a classical cover drive, no need to run for that
one
End of over 21 (8 runs) Zimbabwe 87/4 (RR: 4.14)
SE Bond 7-1-28-0 (2w) - Loch Logan End
A Flower 27* (55b 3x4) T Taibu 14* (12b 2x4)
a double change for New Zealand, Adams returns, replacing Oram at
the Willows End
21.1 Adams to A Flower, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump,
props well forward, deflects it away to backward point in defence
21.2 Adams to A Flower, two runs, full outside off stump, very sweetly
drives through the covers, Vettori is sweeping in the deep, is put
under pressure by urgency of the batsmen coming back for a second,
he fumbles and concedes the second, good running
21.3 Adams to A Flower, no run, shortish, straight ball, watchfully
defends, getting right in behind it, playing back to the bowler
with a straight bat
21.4 Adams to A Flower, FOUR, shot! fullish ball just outside off stump,
leans forward, closes the wrists on it, neatly stroking it up
through wide mid on, timed perfectly and it races away from
Cairns, effortless improvisation
21.5 Adams to A Flower, FOUR, shot! Adams' return is not a happy one for
the bowler, overpitches wide outside off stump, Flower plays a
great square drive through backward point, pierces the gap in the
deep to perfection
21.6 Adams to A Flower, wide: no run, short and wide outside off stump,
has a dabble at it but misses, through to the keeper, gets a bonus
delivery anyway
21.6 Adams to A Flower, no run, a game-breaking moment! just as Flower
was looking to carry Zimbabwe back on the road to a fine recovery
with some wonderful strokes, his has a brain explosion, pushing a
fullish ball up to Astle at a fairly close mid off, sets off for
an insanely tight
End of over 22 (11 runs) Zimbabwe 98/4 (RR: 4.45)
AR Adams 4-0-28-1 (5w) - Willows End
T Taibu 14* (12b 2x4) A Flower 37* (61b 5x4)
quick single, he gambles, and he loses, a superb direct hit from
relatively close range, but with only one and a half stumps in his
sight, beats Flower's dive into his crease and the finger is
raised, no need for a replay there
Zimbabwe 98/5, Partnership of 33
A Flower run out (Astle) 37 (61b 5x4 0x6)
Zimbabwe's run rate is very healthy considering their current
situation, but now is the time for consolidation, particularly
with only the all-rounders left to bat
Andy Blignaut the new batsman
22.1 Bond to Blignaut, no run, digs in a sharp short rising ball on off
stump, rocks the head back out of the way to let it go through to
the keeper
22.2 Bond to Blignaut, one run, fuller ball angling away outside off
stump, steers a thick outside edge down to third man to get off
the mark
22.3 Bond to Taibu, no run, full and rather quick outside off stump,
Taibu is late on his attempted drive through the covers, plays and
misses through to the keeper
22.4 Bond to Taibu, no run, tight shortish ball just outside off stump,
watchfully defends from the crease, playing it down into the off
side
22.5 Bond to Taibu, one run, fullish ball outside off stump, leans well
forward, solidly easing it out towards Adams at deep cover for an
easy single, brings up the Zimbabwe 100
22.6 Bond to Blignaut, two runs, fullish ball on off stump, deflects it
away towards point, quick single taken with the shot as Harris
flings himself to his left from behind square, fielding very
sharply, but he backhands it towards the stumps and it's a bit
quick for everyone,
End of over 23 (4 runs) Zimbabwe 102/5 (RR: 4.43)
SE Bond 8-1-32-0 (2w) - Loch Logan End
T Taibu 15* (15b 2x4) AM Blignaut 3* (3b)
goes away towards square leg for a bonus quick run as the midwicket
sweeper has to race in to back up
time for a bit of spin, Daniel Vettori on to bowl, replacing Adams
at the Willows End
23.1 Vettori to Taibu, two runs, flat ball outside off stump, very well
back cut through backward point, finds the gap well and is able to
grab an easy two as McMillan sweeps around from much straighter in
the deep
23.2 Vettori to Taibu, no run, oooh! nicely flighted ball outside off
stump, Taibu tries to back cut again, this time gets a thick
outside edge, down into the pad of keeper McCullum, no real chance
there, dangerous play though
23.3 Vettori to Taibu, one run, flighted well outside off stump, turns
but very slowly, sitting up somewhat, Taibu waits forever for it,
mistiming his attempted cut, chopping it into the ground just
backward of point
23.4 Vettori to Blignaut, no run, flat ball turning in to the left-
hander from over the wicket, tucked down to square leg in defence
23.5 Vettori to Blignaut, one run, dances down to a flighted ball,
driving very well off the toes down to long on
23.6 Vettori to Taibu, no run, oh boy oh boy, Zimbabwe in tatters now,
but have they been sold up the creek by this one? Taibu pats a
flighted ball down in close on the off side, Blignaut sets off for
the quick run but there's no response from the other end, McCullum
dashes from
End of over 24 (4 runs) Zimbabwe 106/5 (RR: 4.42)
DL Vettori 1-0-4-0 - Willows End
AM Blignaut 4* (5b) T Taibu 18* (19b 2x4)
around behind the stumps, showing great presence of mind with no
other fielders nearby, picks up and flings back to the bowler, and
has the sprawling Blignaut short of his ground ... according to
umpire Koertzen, at least!
Zimbabwe 106/6, Partnership of 8
AM Blignaut run out (McCullum) 4 (5b 0x4 0x6)
umpire Koertzen doesn't feel he needs help from the third umpire on
that call, but replays show that it's incredibly close, and the
bat of Blignaut was behind the boot of Vettori to the umpire's
view, looks like a bit of the bat in the air over the line,
because Blignaut slid the back of the bat along the ground, a
freaky call, may just be right, was incredibly close
Heath Streak the new batsman
24.1 Bond to Streak, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
leaves well alone through to the keeper
24.2 Bond to Streak, no run, shortish rising ball outside off stump,
shoulders arms through to the keeper once again
24.3 Bond to Streak, no run, slightly fuller outside off stump,
watchfully defends into the covers from the crease
24.4 Bond to Streak, no run, digs in a shorter ball outside off stump,
sways safely back inside the line to leave it alone to the keeper
24.5 Bond to Streak, FOUR, shot! a lovely way to get off the mark,
shortish ball outside off stump, shows the full face and sweetly
steers it down through backward point, finding the gap and the
timing carries it quickly to the rope
24.6 Bond to Streak, no run, tight shortish ball angling in on off
stump, defends solidly from the crease, playing down into the off
side
End of over 25 (4 runs) Zimbabwe 110/6 (RR: 4.40)
SE Bond 9-1-36-0 (2w) - Loch Logan End
T Taibu 18* (19b 2x4) HH Streak 4* (6b 1x4)
25.1 Vettori to Taibu, no run, flighted up nicely outside off stump,
pads it away, deflected to slip off the front knee
25.2 Vettori to Taibu, no run, gives this one a lot of air, flighted up
very full and straight, firmly pushes back on the leg side in
defence, Vettori darts across to messily field himself
25.3 Vettori to Taibu, one run, shorter ball turning on off stump,
punches it away to deep cover, playing well from the crease
25.4 Vettori to Streak, no run, good arm ball from Vettori greets Streak
first up, gets a lot of bounce and it follows the batsman, Streak
not expecting it at all as it jags right back into his body, drops
down behind him as he awkwardly plays at it
25.5 Vettori to Streak, no run, flighted up nicely rather straight,
props forward, letting it turn into the front pad, rebounds back
down the track
25.6 Vettori to Streak, no run, similar again, flighted up full and
straight, stretches well forward, defending with bat/pad tucked
together, leading with the front pad, drops down in close on the
leg side
End of over 26 (1 run) Zimbabwe 111/6 (RR: 4.27)
DL Vettori 2-0-5-0 - Willows End
T Taibu 19* (22b 2x4) HH Streak 4* (9b 1x4)
26.1 Bond to Taibu, no run, shortish ball on off stump, hops on the
crease, defending down into the pitch at his feet
26.2 Bond to Taibu, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, stretches
well forward, easing it away to Harris at point
26.3 Bond to Taibu, no run, shorter ball angling in on off stump,
punched into the ground, straight to Harris again on the bounce
26.4 Bond to Taibu, no run, shortish ball angling in on off stump,
shuffles well forward, watchfully pushing it back to the bowler in
defence
26.5 Bond to Taibu, one run, fullish, wide ball outside off stump, Taibu
plays a crashing square drive, but there's protection in the deep
for that now, Adams across to field at deep backward point
26.6 Bond to Streak, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump, hangs
the bat well back out of the way to leave alone to the keeper
End of over 27 (1 run) Zimbabwe 112/6 (RR: 4.15)
SE Bond 10-1-37-0 (2w) - Loch Logan End
T Taibu 20* (27b 2x4) HH Streak 4* (10b 1x4)
Bond completes his 10 over spell rather early, very tidy figures
though no wickets to his name
27.1 Vettori to Taibu, one run, flighted up outside off stump, nudged
away through cover point into a gap for an easy single
27.2 Vettori to Streak, one run, flighted up full outside off stump,
firmly driven along the ground straight down to Oram at long off
27.3 Vettori to Taibu, one run, shorter ball outside off stump, shuffles
back and forces it out to deep point for another easy single
27.4 Vettori to Streak, no run, pushed through quicker and fuller just
outside off stump, lunges well forward, defending with bat/pad in
close on the off side
27.5 Vettori to Streak, legbye: one run, flighted up on leg stump,
glanced away just behind square off the pad, called through for
the easy run by Taibu
27.6 Vettori to Taibu, no run, well flighted up outside off stump, Taibu
looks to go back and play a forcing short square again but it's a
bit full, squirts a thick outside edge away to gully
End of over 28 (4 runs) Zimbabwe 116/6 (RR: 4.14)
DL Vettori 3-0-8-0 - Willows End
HH Streak 5* (13b 1x4) T Taibu 22* (30b 2x4)
Oram returns, replacing Bond at the Loch Logan End
28.1 Oram to Streak, no run, shortish ball on off stump, watchfully
defends from the crease, tapping it back to the bowler
28.2 Oram to Streak, no run, fuller ball just outside off stump, pushes
forward, nudging it towards point in defence
28.3 Oram to Streak, no run, tight fullish ball angling in on off stump,
watchfully forward, defending up to mid off with a straight bat
28.4 Oram to Streak, no run, full on off stump, firmly drives along the
ground, straight up to Cairns at mid off
28.5 Oram to Streak, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
guides it down to Harris at point in defence, awkward bounce
catches Harris off guard, but recovers well enough to prevent a
single
28.6 Oram to Streak, no run, tight shortish ball just outside off stump,
tries to cut but chops it into the ground with little room to free
the arms, drops away tamely to Harris at point
End of over 29 (maiden) Zimbabwe 116/6 (RR: 4.00)
JDP Oram 8-3-23-1 (1w) - Loch Logan End
T Taibu 22* (30b 2x4) HH Streak 5* (19b 1x4)
Chris Harris on to bowl, replacing Vettori at the Willows End
29.1 Harris to Taibu, no run, well floated up on off stump, leans well
forward, quietly defending with bat/pad tucked together, played
back to the bowler
29.2 Harris to Taibu, no run, flatter, quicker ball on off stump,
shuffles back, defending from the crease up towards mid off
29.3 Harris to Taibu, one run, floated up full outside off stump, Taibu
brings out the paddle shot, lapping it away down to Cairns at fine
leg
29.4 Harris to Streak, no run, pushed through quicker and full on off
stump, forced back down the pitch on the off side, Harris falls to
his left to field himself
29.5 Harris to Streak, one run, flatter ball straying to leg stump,
turned away down towards Cairns coming in to field from fine leg
29.6 Harris to Taibu, one run, Taibu favours the paddle shot again,
floated up full just outside off stump, turns it away down towards
Cairns once again
End of over 30 (3 runs) Zimbabwe 119/6 (RR: 3.97)
CZ Harris 1-0-3-0 - Willows End
T Taibu 24* (34b 2x4) HH Streak 6* (21b 1x4)
30.1 Oram to Taibu, no run, shortish lifting ball just outside off
stump, stands tall to defend, chops an inside edge down into the
legs, drops down at his feet, Oram smartly up to field himself to
prevent thoughts of a quick single
30.2 Oram to Taibu, legbye: one run, a slower ball, the off spinner,
turns into the pad as Taibu shuffles across his crease, deflected
off the pad fairly fine, McCullum tumbling across to partially
stop it, appeal for lbw turned down by umpire Shepherd, heading
down leg
30.3 Oram to Streak, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
quietly defends down into the covers
30.4 Oram to Streak, no run, similar again, no room to free the arms,
Streak has to be content with defending a shortish lifting ball
down into the covers
30.5 Oram to Streak, no run, very similar yet again, shortish on off
stump, shuffles right across to get in behind it, defending up to
mid off with a straight bat
30.6 Oram to Streak, no run, tight shortish ball just outside off stump,
again forced to defend, solidly playing it into the covers
End of over 31 (1 run, maiden) Zimbabwe 120/6 (RR: 3.87)
JDP Oram 9-4-23-1 (1w) - Loch Logan End
T Taibu 24* (36b 2x4) HH Streak 6* (25b 1x4)
consecutive maidens from Oram, bowling very well as Zimbabwe have
little choice but to be dictated to after losing a lot of early
wickets, still 19 overs left to bat out with just 4 wickets in
hand
time for a drinks break on this sultry Bloemfontein afternoon
Match State: Drinks
31.1 Harris to Taibu, no run, floated up full, drifting into the toes as
Taibu looks to come forward, quietly defends in close on the off
side
31.2 Harris to Taibu, one run, floated up full outside off stump, nudged
just forward of point, working it well into a gap to steal a
cheeky quick single
31.3 Harris to Streak, no run, shorter, flat ball on off stump, gets
right back in behind it, defending firmly straight back to the
bowler
31.4 Harris to Streak, one run, floated up nicely outside off stump,
leans well forward, nudging it into the off side, tight quick
single taken after some initial hesitation, in the end well taken
as cover swoops in to field awkwardly on the run
31.5 Harris to Taibu, no run, floated up nicely on off stump, props
forward, defending in close on the leg side of the pitch
31.6 Harris to Taibu, no run, floated up full on off stump, drifting in
well, comes half forward, driving firmly straight back to the
bowler
End of over 32 (2 runs) Zimbabwe 122/6 (RR: 3.81)
CZ Harris 2-0-5-0 - Willows End
HH Streak 7* (27b 1x4) T Taibu 25* (40b 2x4)
32.1 Oram to Streak, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, props
forward, solidly defending down into the covers
32.2 Oram to Streak, no run, very full outside off stump, jams it into
the deck, forced straight to Fleming at cover point
32.3 Oram to Streak, one run, shortish ball on off stump, stands tall on
the crease, forcing it out to the cover sweeper
32.4 Oram to Taibu, FOUR, shot! a rare relieving boundary stroke for
Zimbabwe of late, Oram bowling loosely in both line and length,
fuller and down the leg side, very well whipped away through
backward square leg
32.5 Oram to Taibu, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, stretches
well forward before shouldering arms to the keeper
32.6 Oram to Taibu, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, comes
forward, nudging it straight to Fleming at cover point
End of over 33 (5 runs) Zimbabwe 127/6 (RR: 3.85)
JDP Oram 10-4-28-1 (1w) - Loch Logan End
HH Streak 8* (30b 1x4) T Taibu 29* (43b 3x4)
Oram completes an economical 10-over spell, helping to change the
course of the Zimbabwe innings by keeping it very tight at one end
33.1 Harris to Streak, no run, well floated up just outside off stump
and drifting in, props well forward in defence, taken on the front
pad, imploring shout for lbw from the bowler alone to umpire
Koertzen who says not out, struck outside the line
33.2 Harris to Streak, one run, floated up full outside off stump,
driven straight down to long off for an easy single
33.3 Harris to Taibu, no run, nicely floated up on a probing length just
outside off stump, takes forever to arrive, has Taibu waiting for
it, can only dab it to backward point in the end
33.4 Harris to Taibu, no run, floated up on off stump, stretches well
forward, defending straight back to the bowler with bat/pad tucked
together
33.5 Harris to Taibu, no run, floated up full and much straighter on the
toes, uses the feet well to drive back down the pitch on the leg
side, but can't get it past Harris
33.6 Harris to Taibu, no run, slower, shorter ball outside off stump,
patted firmly straight to point, Harris doing a fine strangulation
job
End of over 34 (1 run) Zimbabwe 128/6 (RR: 3.76)
CZ Harris 3-0-6-0 - Willows End
HH Streak 9* (32b 1x4) T Taibu 29* (47b 3x4)
Vettori returns, replacing Oram at the Loch Logan End
34.1 Vettori to Streak, no run, flighted up full just outside off stump,
props forward, defending in close on the off side
34.2 Vettori to Streak, one run, flighted up full on the legs, clipped
away through vacant square leg, the sweeper has to dart in from
the boundary rope to keep them to just the single
34.3 Vettori to Taibu, one run, flighted up full and straight, Taibu
paddles once more, getting it quite fine, but a quickly run first
can't be converted into a second as fine leg is smartly across to
field it
34.4 Vettori to Streak, no run, flighted up well outside off stump,
pushes forward at it, easing it into the covers
34.5 Vettori to Streak, two runs, Vettori flights up a rather poor,
short ball sitting up very wide outside off stump, Streak
powerfully slaps it through the covers, but Astle does well to
slide around the boundary from much squarer to halve the number of
runs conceded
34.6 Vettori to Streak, one run, flighted up full and straight, turned
off the legs forward of square for an easy single
End of over 35 (5 runs) Zimbabwe 133/6 (RR: 3.80)
DL Vettori 4-0-13-0 - Loch Logan End
HH Streak 13* (37b 1x4) T Taibu 30* (48b 3x4)
35.1 Harris to Streak, no run, floated up full outside off stump, pushes
forward, easing it to cover in defence
35.2 Harris to Streak, one run, floated up full outside off stump,
driven firmly back to the bowler on the off side of the pitch,
Harris goes to his left to field, but accidentally kicks it away
towards vacant cover to concede a single that was never there
35.3 Harris to Taibu, no run, floated up full and very straight,
shuffles forward to it, strongly driving back to the bowler
35.4 Harris to Taibu, no run, pushed through quicker and drifting into
the toes, Taibu again keen to drive to the leg side but is beaten
for pace, taken on the toe and rebounds back to the bowler
35.5 Harris to Taibu, no run, Taibu tries to get rather too cute and
almost ends up with disastrous results, trying to reverse paddle a
shorter ball, misses as it kicks off the pitch, taken up on the
chest and pops up in the air, McCullum takes it but no serious
appeals for a catch
35.6 Harris to Taibu, one run, floated up full outside off stump, nudged
into a gap in the covers, tight quick single taken well with the
shot
End of over 36 (2 runs) Zimbabwe 135/6 (RR: 3.75)
CZ Harris 4-0-8-0 - Willows End
T Taibu 31* (52b 3x4) HH Streak 14* (39b 1x4)
36.1 Vettori to Taibu, one run, flat ball turning away outside off
stump, cut strongly through point, in the air but very safe, out
to Astle sweeping on the boundary
36.2 Vettori to Streak, two runs, Streak starts to show some intent
after lying dormant for a while, advancing to a flighted ball,
chipping it just over the head of midwicket, Styris around in the
deep to field from much squarer
36.3 Vettori to Streak, no run, flatter ball turning away outside off
stump, chopped down to backward point, looking for a quick run but
it's not on
36.4 Vettori to Streak, no run, flighted up full outside off stump,
firmly driven straight to cover
36.5 Vettori to Streak, one run, flighted up full and straight, sweeps
well, straight down to fine leg
36.6 Vettori to Taibu, no run, quicker ball pushed through on off stump,
drives but mistimes it, played straight back to the bowler on the
leg side of the pitch
End of over 37 (4 runs) Zimbabwe 139/6 (RR: 3.76)
DL Vettori 5-0-17-0 - Loch Logan End
HH Streak 17* (43b 1x4) T Taibu 32* (54b 3x4)
37.1 Harris to Streak, no run, nicely floated on off stump, props
forward, quietly defending square on the off side
37.2 Harris to Streak, no run, nicely floated up on off stump, Streak
looks to play it to leg but it straightens off the seam, adjusts
to defend back to the bowler
37.3 Harris to Streak, no run, nicely floated up on off stump and
drifting in, again is forward, quietly defending back to the
bowler
37.4 Harris to Streak, legbye: one run, quicker ball pushed through,
drifting into the pads, gets on bended knee to sweep, misses,
deflects down to fine leg off the pad
37.5 Harris to Taibu, no run, slower ball drifting into the pads, tries
to glance it fine but misses, drops down in close on the leg side
from the pad, almost sets off for a fatal run as he doesn't spot
where the ball is and McCullum is quickly around from behind the
stumps to tidy
37.6 Harris to Taibu, one run, floated up full outside off stump, driven
straight up to long off to retain the strike
End of over 38 (2 runs) Zimbabwe 141/6 (RR: 3.71)
CZ Harris 5-0-9-0 - Willows End
T Taibu 33* (56b 3x4) HH Streak 17* (47b 1x4)
38.1 Vettori to Taibu, one run, flighted up on off stump, driven off the
back foot down to long off
38.2 Vettori to Streak, no run, flatter ball just outside off stump,
cuts hard into the ground, played straight to point
38.3 Vettori to Streak, no run, very nicely flighted up, Streak pushes
half forward in defence, slides straight on, beating his defences,
huge appeal for lbw from the bowler, umpire Hair quickly says no,
was very close
38.4 Vettori to Streak, two runs, nice response by Streak, dances down
to a flighted ball, lofting over extra cover, playing inside out
with the turn, Cairns does well to get around from long off to
field inside the rope
38.5 Vettori to Streak, no run, very well flighted up, Streak again has
to be cautious in defence, taken on the pad as it drifts down the
leg side
38.6 Vettori to Streak, two runs, flighted up nicely full and straight,
gives it good air and has Streak playing a false shot, but his
attempted sweep comes off as the top edge flies safely into no
man's land at short fine leg, Bond around and in from much squarer
in the deep to field
End of over 39 (5 runs) Zimbabwe 146/6 (RR: 3.74)
DL Vettori 6-0-22-0 - Loch Logan End
T Taibu 34* (57b 3x4) HH Streak 21* (52b 1x4)
39.1 Harris to Taibu, no run, flat ball drifting in on the stumps,
forced from back on the crease, back on the leg side of the pitch,
Harris dives to his right to field himself
39.2 Harris to Taibu, one run, floated up on off stump, punched strongly
out to the deep cover sweeper
39.3 Harris to Streak, one run, slower, shorter ball on off stump,
Streak brings out the paddle shot very early, has to wait for it
to arrive, eventually steering it down to Cairns at fine leg
39.4 Harris to Taibu, one run, a loose ball from Harris, very short and
sits up, Taibu fails to latch on to it well, going through with
the pull shot far too early, drags it straight out to deep
backward square leg
39.5 Harris to Streak, one run, yet another predetermined paddle shot,
flat ball on off stump, turns it away to vacant short fine leg to
bring up the Zimbabwe 150
39.6 Harris to Taibu, one run, floated up full outside off stump,
forcefully driven straight down to long off
End of over 40 (5 runs) Zimbabwe 151/6 (RR: 3.78)
CZ Harris 6-0-14-0 - Willows End
T Taibu 37* (61b 3x4) HH Streak 23* (54b 1x4)
Nathan Astle on to bowl, replacing Vettori at the Loch Logan End
40.1 Astle to Taibu, SIX, welcome to the bowling crease Mr Astle, a
rather loose, short ball down the leg side, swings it away
powerfully over long leg, well over the boundary hoardings, brings
up the 50 partnership too
40.2 Astle to Taibu, no run, much better line and length, tight shortish
ball on off stump, forced back on the off side of the pitch in
defence
40.3 Astle to Taibu, two runs, shortish ball just outside off stump,
strongly punched down through the covers, Vettori has to run a
fair way around the boundary from much squarer in the deep to
field, time for an easy two
40.4 Astle to Taibu, one run, shortish, straight ball, pulls flat in the
air through square leg, straight to the man posted on the boundary
on the second bounce
40.5 Astle to Streak, one run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
just stands tall and taps it down forward of point into a gap for
an easy single, very smartly played
40.6 Astle to Taibu, one run, fuller outside off stump, driven straight
down to Oram at long off, a very profitable over for Zimbabwe
End of over 41 (11 runs) Zimbabwe 162/6 (RR: 3.95)
NJ Astle 1-0-11-0 - Loch Logan End
T Taibu 47* (66b 3x4 1x6) HH Streak 24* (55b 1x4)
41.1 Harris to Taibu, one run, floated up on off stump, forced straight
down to long off, this pair milking the runs excellently now, the
time to pick up the rate of scoring is clearly upon us
41.2 Harris to Streak, one run, floated up full, drifting on to the
legs, clipped away through backward square leg, looking for a
second but they don't dare taken on Cairns' return throw as he
races in from the boundary to field
41.3 Harris to Taibu, no run, floated up full on off stump, punched back
to the bowler on the off side of the pitch
41.4 Harris to Taibu, no run, slower, shorter ball just outside off
stump, chopped straight down to point
41.5 Harris to Taibu, one run, floated up very full and straight,
strongly sweeps a low full toss to deep backward square leg
41.6 Harris to Streak, no run, floated up nicely outside off stump,
props forward, watchfully defending into the covers
End of over 42 (3 runs) Zimbabwe 165/6 (RR: 3.93)
CZ Harris 7-0-17-0 - Willows End
T Taibu 49* (70b 3x4 1x6) HH Streak 25* (57b 1x4)
just the one over for Astle, Vettori returns as quickly as he left,
back at the Loch Logan End
42.1 Vettori to Taibu, no run, well flighted up on off stump, forces it
to extra cover from the crease
42.2 Vettori to Taibu, no run, nicely flighted up on off stump, Taibu
has to wait for it to come on, plays a tame scoop in close on the
leg side in defence
42.3 Vettori to Taibu, one run, flighted up full and straight, paddles
it away down to fine leg, and brings up his maiden ODI 50 off 73
balls, 3x4, 1x6
42.4 Vettori to Streak, FOUR, short and sits up outside off stump,
powerfully slashed away through backward point, placed very well
to avoid Astle in the deep
42.5 Vettori to Streak, one run, flighted up full on off stump, leans
forward, smartly pushing it into a gap in the covers for the
easiest of singles
42.6 Vettori to Taibu, one run, flighted up full outside off stump, it
doesn't stop Taibu from paddling yet again, dragging it away down
to fine leg
End of over 43 (7 runs) Zimbabwe 172/6 (RR: 4.00)
DL Vettori 7-0-29-0 - Loch Logan End
T Taibu 51* (74b 3x4 1x6) HH Streak 30* (59b 2x4)
43.1 Harris to Taibu, no run, floated up full outside off stump, swings
across the line at it, chopping an inside edge into the ground,
rolls up towards mid on
43.2 Harris to Taibu, no run, floated up fullish outside off stump,
powerfully driven, but straight to wide mid off
43.3 Harris to Taibu, no run, good flatter, quicker ball drifting right
in to Taibu who backs away to leg, can only force it straight back
to the bowler
43.4 Harris to Taibu, two runs, shorter ball, jumps outside leg to free
the arms, pulled through wide midwicket, not well timed but gets
it away for a couple as Vettori races around in the deep to field
from squarer
43.5 Harris to Taibu, OUT: Taibu goes for one cheeky shot too many, the
paddle brings him many runs, but also his downfall, trying to
scoop it almost over the keeper's head on this occasion, but
misses a quicker, shorter ball, struck plumb in front, easy
decision for
Zimbabwe 174/7, Partnership of 68
T Taibu lbw b Harris 53 (79b 3x4 1x6)
HH Streak 30* (59b 2x4) CZ Harris 7.5-0-19-1
umpire Koertzen to raise the finger, and a plucky, stubborn and
increasingly dangerous rebuilding partnership of 68 for the 7th
wicket comes to an end
Sean Ervine the new batsman
43.6 Harris to Ervine, no run, floated up full and straight, props
forward, defending down in close on the leg side
End of over 44 (2 runs) Zimbabwe 174/7 (RR: 3.95)
CZ Harris 8-0-19-1 - Willows End
HH Streak 30* (59b 2x4) SM Ervine 0* (1b)
44.1 Vettori to Streak, no run, nicely flighted up just outside off
stump, Streak pushes forward with a little uncertainly, plays it
into the ground and bounces back up into the pad, drops away
tamely
44.2 Vettori to Streak, no run, flatter ball, cuts hard just behind
point but can't pierce the infield this time
44.3 Vettori to Streak, one run, flighted up full outside off stump,
strongly driven straight out to Astle at deep cover
44.4 Vettori to Ervine, one run, flighted up outside off stump, nudges
it towards vacant point for an easy single to get off the mark
44.5 Vettori to Streak, two runs, flighted up full outside off stump,
drives strongly through extra cover, Astle races across from deep
point to field inside the boundary
44.6 Vettori to Streak, no run, good arm ball from Vettori, drifting in
and strikes Streak flush on the front pad, big shout for lbw but
umpire Hair says no, struck just outside the line it would seem
End of over 45 (4 runs) Zimbabwe 178/7 (RR: 3.96)
DL Vettori 8-0-33-0 - Loch Logan End
SM Ervine 1* (2b) HH Streak 33* (64b 2x4)
45.1 Harris to Ervine, one run, shortish ball on the legs, tucked away
through vacant square leg, they look for a second run but the
sweeper does well to scoot in from the deep and get the return in
quick smart to prevent it
45.2 Harris to Streak, no run, shorter ball floated up just outside off
stump, squirts a thick outside edge towards Oram at backward point
45.3 Harris to Streak, no run, flat ball on off stump, tries to whip it
across the line but drags it straight to midwicket
45.4 Harris to Streak, no run, well floated up and drifts in on off
stump, quietly pushes it towards mid off
45.5 Harris to Streak, legbye: three runs, floated up just outside off
stump, Streak tries to sweep across the line, misses, gets a lucky
deflection off the front pad very fine on the off side, past the
keeper, Fleming chases it down just inside the rope
45.6 Harris to Ervine, two runs, quick, flatter ball outside off stump,
powerfully punched straight to Adams at extra cover, somehow gets
straight through him and Astle has to tidy up from long off
End of over 46 (6 runs) Zimbabwe 184/7 (RR: 4.00)
CZ Harris 9-0-22-1 - Willows End
HH Streak 33* (68b 2x4) SM Ervine 4* (4b)
46.1 Vettori to Streak, one run, flighted up full outside off stump,
strongly driven straight out to Astle at deep cover
46.2 Vettori to Ervine, one run, advances to a flighted ball outside off
stump, drives off the toes down to Cairns at long on
46.3 Vettori to Streak, no run, flighted up full outside off stump,
powerfully drives along the carpet but straight to Styris at extra
cover
46.4 Vettori to Streak, one run, steps outside leg stump to a flighted
ball to free the arms, strongly lofts it straight down the ground,
bounces just short of Cairns at long off
46.5 Vettori to Ervine, one run, flighted up full and straight, driven
straight down to Cairns at long on
46.6 Vettori to Streak, two runs, flighted up full on the toes, strongly
chipped over wide midwicket, McMillan around from long on to field
just inside the boundary
End of over 47 (6 runs) Zimbabwe 190/7 (RR: 4.04)
DL Vettori 9-0-39-0 - Loch Logan End
SM Ervine 6* (6b) HH Streak 37* (72b 2x4)
47.1 Harris to Ervine, (noball) one run, cardinal sin from Harris,
oversteps, low full toss outside off stump, driven straight out to
the cover sweeper
47.1 Harris to Streak, SIX, shot! too short from Harris, sits up and
Streak heaves it mightily over midwicket, didn't loft it much,
just did enough to get it over the boundary, fine strike
47.2 Harris to Streak, no run, floated up full outside off stump,
strongly driven but can't get it past a good tumbling save by
Styris at extra cover
47.3 Harris to Streak, SIX, another big one! Harris just losing it in
his last over, Streak steps well down the track, picking up it
powerfully over midwicket again
47.4 Harris to Streak, one run, floated up on the legs, turned away
through square leg, brings up his 50 off 76 balls, 2x4, 2x6
47.5 Harris to Ervine, FOUR, floated up full and straight, just drifting
a little away from the left-hander, slices a thick outside edge
wide of short third man as he slashes at it, looking to play
squarer, races down to the rope
47.6 Harris to Ervine, FOUR, and a shocking final over comes to an end
for Harris, floated up full outside off stump, powerfully driven
through extra cover, pierces the gaps perfectly
End of over 48 (23 runs) Zimbabwe 213/7 (RR: 4.44)
CZ Harris 10-0-45-1 (1nb) - Willows End
HH Streak 50* (76b 2x4 2x6) SM Ervine 15* (9b 2x4)
23 runs come off his final over - 1 run more than what his previous
9 cost combined!
Zimbabwe now suddenly set for a very competitive total on a slowing
wicket
48.1 Vettori to Streak, FOUR, four more! Streak opens the shoulders
again, flighted up full and powerfully lofts it over extra cover,
picking the gaps in the deep to perfection
48.2 Vettori to Streak, two runs, Streak on fire now, advances to a
flighted ball, powerfully smacks it back past the bowler in the
air on the leg side of the pitch, McMillan makes a fine despairing
dive to tip it back inside the rope from long on
48.3 Vettori to Streak, FOUR, four more! Streak taking them apart, again
backs away to leg to free the arms, picks up a flighted ball over
extra cover, and Cairns has no chance to cut it off from long off
48.4 Vettori to Streak, one run, flighted up full and straight, strongly
lofted down towards McMillan at long on, running in to field it on
the bounce, brings up a very quick 50 partnership
48.5 Vettori to Ervine, no run, flighted up full outside off stump,
driven strongly but straight to extra cover on the circle edge
48.6 Vettori to Ervine, two runs, flighted up very full outside off
stump, powerfully drives through the covers, Oram slides around
the boundary to keep it just inside the rope
End of over 49 (13 runs) Zimbabwe 226/7 (RR: 4.61)
DL Vettori 10-0-52-0 - Loch Logan End
HH Streak 61* (80b 4x4 2x6) SM Ervine 17* (11b 2x4)
Vettori and Harris finish horrible last overs, the former getting
off slightly better, costing 13, but still ends up with worse
figures than Harris
Zimbabwe's confidence lifts dramatically under the guidance of
Streak here, and the crowd are lifting with them too
Adams returns, getting to bowl a solitary over at the very death
49.1 Adams to Streak, (noball) FOUR, oh dear, it just goes from bad to
worse for New Zealand, Streak taking them apart, Adams bowls a
high full toss outside off stump, slices the cut, flies down to
the straight third man boundary
49.1 Adams to Streak, FOUR, another shocking ball, and Streak is killing
them with expertise, overpitched outside off stump, smacked away
through the covers
49.2 Adams to Streak, two runs, fullish, straight ball, lofted down the
ground on the leg side, Astle gets across from wider at long on to
stop it being three fours in a row
49.3 Adams to Streak, one run, fullish ball outside off stump, swings
across the line, driving down to Astle at long on
49.4 Adams to Ervine, SIX, what a shot! Adams tries a slower ball, an
off spinner, Ervine reads it with ease, picking it up, smashing it
a country mile over Oram's head on the midwicket boundary
49.5 Adams to Ervine, FOUR, awful, awful bowling, and brilliant,
brilliant batting, back of a length ball sits up, swung away over
wide midwicket, two bounces and to the rope
49.6 Adams to Ervine, FOUR, and a shocking last three overs comes to an
end, Zimbabwe power themselves right back into this match with a
brilliant exhibition at the death, full and straight, smacked
straight down the ground on the leg side, Astle slides around the
boundary from
End of over 50 (26 runs) Zimbabwe 252/7 (RR: 5.04)
AR Adams 5-0-54-1 (5w 1nb) - Willows End
HH Streak 72* (84b 6x4 2x6) SM Ervine 31* (14b 4x4 1x6)
much wider, can only get his leg to it, deflecting it into the rope
anyway
a 74-run partnership to end the innings from just 38 deliveries,
can you believe it! the last 3 overs cost 62, New Zealand taken
apart, absolutely no answers for Streak and Ervine's innovative
and clinical hitting, ball after ball after ball disappearing
the 48th over by Harris costed 23, the 49th by Vettori costed a
'measly' 13, and Adams finishes things off with a mere 26-run
final over
Heath Streak the hero, unbeaten on 72, giving New Zealanders more
nightmares after his incredible unbeaten 79 at No 8 back in
Auckland in 2000/01 to win their first ODI series against genuine
opposition on foreign soil
remember, he paced himself to the point where he was 37 off 72
balls - and even that was an increased scoring rate in recent
overs thanks to more singles being taken - and ends up hitting 35
off his last 12 balls faced
Ervine comes up with a gem, smashing 31 off just 14 balls, and the
pair follow up Taibu's fine work in tandem with Streak earlier - a
partnership that was putting almost everyone to sleep, and one
which looked like a mere face-saver for quite some time
but never discount Heath Streak, he's a wily old campaigner,
Zimbabwe's Michael Bevan on the odd occasion, if you must, and he
stepped up from first to fifth gear in effortless fashion
New Zealand had Zimbabwe on the ropes at 106/6 after 24 overs, and
though they may have felt they were in control from then on, they
never went for the kill, instead opting to bowl their slow bowlers
all the way through soon after, and boy did that come
back to hurt them badly in the end, as even though it was really
only their last overs that cost a lot, Zimbabwe were able to milk
them reasonably well, and at least ensure a respectable total -
one which could be defended if they bowled out of their
skins ... but now even if they don't, their impressive total may be
too much for New Zealand! the wicket is slow, and the likes of
Murphy and Grant Flower should come into their own on this pitch,
particularly if they receive support from a tidy pace
bowling troupe to start with
New Zealand go back to their dressing room shell-shocked, could
another upset be on the cards - remember, one of these two team's
campaigns will be all but over by the end of today, this is a
critical game
please join us in just under 45 minutes time at 2:15pm local time
(1215 GMT) for the start of New Zealand's chase for 253 at a
required rate of 5.06 per over
any comments about our coverage so far can be sent to
comms@cricinfo.com - all feedback is greatly appreciated
Match State: Innings Break
the players return to the field, and it'll be Craig McMillan to
take first strike to Heath Streak from the Loch Logan End, with
Stephen Fleming at the other end
0.1 Streak to McMillan, no run, good start from Streak, shortish ball
just outside off stump, McMillan has a little look at it before
whipping the bat inside the line rather belatedly, good away
movement off the seam after the initial angle back into the
batsman
0.2 Streak to McMillan, no run, shortish ball a bit wider outside off
stump, more comfortably raises the arms up high to leave alone to
the keeper
0.3 Streak to McMillan, no run, shortish lifting ball on off stump,
pokes it down towards point in defence
0.4 Streak to McMillan, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
forcefully plays at it, slicing a thick edge down to third man to
get off the mark
0.5 Streak to Fleming, no run, slightly fuller ball angling across the
left-hander outside off stump, leaves alone to the keeper
0.6 Streak to Fleming, no run, good length ball straightening off the
seam on a line of off stump, has Fleming defending from the
crease, well squared around to play with a straight bat up towards
mid off
End of over 1 (1 run) New Zealand 1/0 (RR: 1.00 RRR: 252/49 = 5.14)
HH Streak 1-0-1-0 - Loch Logan End
CD McMillan 1* (4b) SP Fleming 0* (2b)
Douglas Hondo to open the bowling from the Willows End
1.1 Hondo to McMillan, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump,
watchfully defends from the crease, played back to the bowler
1.2 Hondo to McMillan, FOUR, shot! short and wide, given the treatment
it deserves, hammered away over a despairing leap at cover,
scorches to the boundary
1.3 Hondo to McMillan, one run, better line, shortish lifting ball just
outside off stump, does well to force it away through backward
point, third man around to field in the deep
1.4 Hondo to Fleming, one run, fullish ball outside off stump, drives
extravagantly, getting a thick outside edge flying well wide of
the slips, down to third man to get off the mark, the intent from
the openers against Hondo seems clear
1.5 Hondo to McMillan, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, forced
down towards point in defence
1.6 Hondo to McMillan, no run, fullish ball swinging into the pads,
stifled shout for lbw as it was heading well down the leg side,
rebounds away to point
End of over 2 (6 runs) New Zealand 7/0 (RR: 3.50 RRR: 246/48 = 5.12)
Douglas T Hondo 1-0-6-0 - Willows End
SP Fleming 1* (3b) CD McMillan 6* (9b 1x4)
2.1 Streak to Fleming, no run, good length ball angling away just
outside off stump, shoulders arms through to the keeper
2.2 Streak to Fleming, no run, fuller at good pace, just outside off
stump, leans well forward, again happy to shoulder arms through to
the keeper
2.3 Streak to Fleming, no run, good fullish ball angling away outside
off stump, leaves alone through to the keeper again
2.4 Streak to Fleming, FOUR, shot! poor line from Streak, full on the
legs, Fleming loves it there lately, picks it up sweetly over
square leg, a couple of bounces and away it goes
2.5 Streak to Fleming, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
steered down into the covers in defence
2.6 Streak to Fleming, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
shuffles across to it, forcing it up to mid on in defence
End of over 3 (4 runs) New Zealand 11/0 (RR: 3.67 RRR: 242/47 = 5.15)
HH Streak 2-0-5-0 - Loch Logan End
CD McMillan 6* (9b 1x4) SP Fleming 5* (9b 1x4)
3.1 Hondo to McMillan, no run, oooh! good length ball from Hondo that
cuts back in to McMillan, taken high on the pad in front of middle
stump, big appeal led by the bowler, but it was too high, umpire
Koertzen concurs
3.2 Hondo to McMillan, no run, shortish lifting ball just outside off
stump, forced down to cover in defence
3.3 Hondo to McMillan, one run, shortish lifting straight ball, tucked
off the body wide of mid on for a well taken quick single
3.4 Hondo to Fleming, no run, fullish, straight ball, firmly stroked
straight up to mid off in defence
3.5 Hondo to Fleming, FOUR, superb shot! overpitched outside off stump,
Fleming leans into it and plays a wonderful cover drive, has
authority written all over it, rockets to the boundary
3.6 Hondo to Fleming, no run, shortish, straight ball on off stump,
shuffles across to it, tucking it away straight to shortish
midwicket
End of over 4 (5 runs) New Zealand 16/0 (RR: 4.00 RRR: 237/46 = 5.15)
Douglas T Hondo 2-0-11-0 - Willows End
CD McMillan 7* (12b 1x4) SP Fleming 9* (12b 2x4)
news at the ground is that Brian Murphy is not on the field for
Zimbabwe at the moment, having suffered an injury warming up in
the nets and is in great doubt as to whether he will take any part
in the match now, sub fielder Henry Olonga is on for now
4.1 Streak to McMillan, no run, tight shortish lifting straight ball,
defends from the crease, playing back down the pitch
4.2 Streak to McMillan, one run, shortish ball angling down the leg
side, tucked away down to fine leg
4.3 Streak to Fleming, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, leans
well forward, shouldering arms through to the keeper
4.4 Streak to Fleming, FOUR, beautiful shot! a fraction too straight
from Streak, Fleming shuffles across to off stump, driving
wonderfully through wide midwicket, no hope of that being cut off
by the man posted out at deep square leg, fantastic timing
4.5 Streak to Fleming, no run, shortish lifting ball just outside off
stump, steered away towards point in defence
4.6 Streak to Fleming, one run, very similar again, shortish lifting
ball just outside off stump, steers it off the face a little
finer, getting it down to third man
End of over 5 (6 runs) New Zealand 22/0 (RR: 4.40 RRR: 231/45 = 5.13)
HH Streak 3-0-11-0 - Loch Logan End
SP Fleming 14* (16b 3x4) CD McMillan 8* (14b 1x4)
5.1 Hondo to Fleming, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
jumps across in behind it, defending watchfully back on the leg
side of the pitch, Hondo darts across to field himself
5.2 Hondo to Fleming, no run, much fuller and angling away outside off
stump, leans forward, shouldering arms through to the keeper
5.3 Hondo to Fleming, FOUR, fullish ball outside off stump, plays a
flowing square drive, not perfectly timed but placement is fine,
between point and cover, both slip over and the ball teases them,
rolling away between the pair of them to the boundary
5.4 Hondo to Fleming, one run, fullish, straight ball, pushed firmly up
towards mid on, calling quickly to grab a sharp single quite
safely with the shot, a shy at the bowler's end goes wide with
Fleming well home anyway
5.5 Hondo to McMillan, no run, shuffles right outside off stump to play
a shortish ball, tapping it down into the covers in defence
5.6 Hondo to McMillan, OUT: goodness, what a wicket! shortish ball with
some width outside off stump, McMillan tries to smack the cover
off the ball but only succeeds in getting a thick edge through to
the keeper, he stands around and waits for the umpire to raise his
New Zealand 27/1, Partnership of 27
CD McMillan c Taibu b Hondo 8 (16b 1x4 0x6)
End of over 6 (5 runs) New Zealand 27/1 (RR: 4.50 RRR: 226/44 = 5.14)
Douglas T Hondo 3-0-16-1 - Willows End
SP Fleming 19* (20b 4x4)
finger, clearly out, all the players celebrate, except the bowler
doesn't appeal, nay, can't appeal, as he's lying flat on the
pitch, having stumbled on his follow through and seemingly in some
discomfort, thinking of his own health first!
but he has a wicket, and he'll happily accept it, a good early
breakthrough for Zimbabwe
Nathan Astle the new batsman
6.1 Streak to Fleming, no run, tight fullish ball on off stump, comes
across to get in behind it, squares around in defence, playing it
up to mid off
6.2 Streak to Fleming, one run, shorter, straight ball on the leg
stump, clipped away to the man posted at deep square leg for
Fleming
6.3 Streak to Astle, no run, good tight, good length ball angling in on
off stump, squared around in defence, played back to the bowler
6.4 Streak to Astle, no run, fuller ball outside off stump, pushes it
away straight to cover in defence
6.5 Streak to Astle, one run, oooh! good fullish ball on off stump,
Astle pushes it up towards mid off, sets off for a very, very
tight quick single, Olonga races in from extra cover, underarms
from side on at the bowler's end but misses, could've been big
trouble had it hit
Astle off the mark, in style reminiscent of his horror tip'n'run
dismissal by Vaas, trying to get off the mark in New Zealand's
opening game of the tournament against Sri Lanka, on this very
ground
6.6 Streak to Fleming, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, props
forward, defending down in close on the off side
End of over 7 (2 runs) New Zealand 29/1 (RR: 4.14 RRR: 224/43 = 5.21)
HH Streak 4-0-13-0 - Loch Logan End
NJ Astle 1* (3b) SP Fleming 20* (23b 4x4)
7.1 Hondo to Astle, no run, good tight shortish lifting ball just
outside off stump, stands tall on the crease to stroke it up to
mid off in defence
7.2 Hondo to Astle, no run, fuller ball outside off stump, drives
firmly square, played straight to point
7.3 Hondo to Astle, no run, good ball! excellent length in a tight
channel just outside off stump, has Astle trying to free the arms,
looking to drive on the up through the off side, plays and misses
through to the keeper as he's cramped for room
7.4 Hondo to Astle, two runs, fuller, straighter ball, shuffles across
the crease to whip it away through midwicket, neatly timed with
minimal effort, time for an easy two as Whittall charges after it
from square leg
7.5 Hondo to Astle, no run, full and straight, strongly drives straight
back down the pitch, Hondo does well to get his hands to it on his
follow through, slowing its pace up towards mid off
7.6 Hondo to Astle, no run, tight shortish ball just outside off stump,
jabs it straight back down the pitch in defence
End of over 8 (2 runs) New Zealand 31/1 (RR: 3.88 RRR: 222/42 = 5.29)
Douglas T Hondo 4-0-18-1 - Willows End
SP Fleming 20* (23b 4x4) NJ Astle 3* (9b)
there's a bit of a delay as ground staff are ushered out to the
middle by the umpires to get the bowlers' footmarks sorted at the
Loch Logan End, they look a bit hard and dry, hard to get the
spikes into, by the looks
8.1 Streak to Fleming, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump,
gets right across and in behind it, turning it away straight to
short midwicket
8.2 Streak to Fleming, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, tapped
down into the covers in defence
8.3 Streak to Fleming, FOUR, oooh! a deliberate field placement for
Fleming almost comes off, fullish, straight ball, Fleming picks it
up off his legs, in the air, just wide of short midwicket, struck
very cleanly, races past him to the wide long on boundary
8.4 Streak to Fleming, no run, fullish ball angling away outside off
stump, props well forward, easing it towards point in defence
8.5 Streak to Fleming, no run, shortish ball straying to leg stump,
Fleming eyes the pull to cash in on it but it doesn't bounce as
much as expected, taken high on the pad, hopeful shout for lbw
from the bowler, pitched and struck outside the line of leg stump
8.6 Streak to Fleming, FOUR, Streak's plans don't quite work on the leg
side, short and strays to leg stump, he has a leg gully in place
but Fleming toys with him, glancing it finer off the hip, races
down to vacant fine leg boundary
End of over 9 (8 runs) New Zealand 39/1 (RR: 4.33 RRR: 214/41 = 5.22)
HH Streak 5-0-21-0 - Loch Logan End
NJ Astle 3* (9b) SP Fleming 28* (29b 6x4)
Andy Blignaut on to bowl, replacing Hondo at the Willows End
Hondo is off the field at present, receiving treatment to his left
ankle after falling over on his follow through when taking the
wicket of McMillan
9.1 Blignaut to Astle, no run, shortish ball sits up a little outside
off stump, cuts into the ground, played straight to cover
9.2 Blignaut to Astle, no run, much fuller, swinging away a little late
outside off stump, firmly driven back down the pitch to the bowler
who fields smartly on his follow through
9.3 Blignaut to Astle, wide: no run, full and wide, swinging further
away outside off stump, big swing and a miss by Astle chasing
after it, through to the keeper
9.3 Blignaut to Astle, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
firmly stroked straight up to mid off in defence
9.4 Blignaut to Astle, one run, shortish, straight ball, works it up
the ground just wide of mid on for an easy single with the stroke
9.5 Blignaut to Fleming, FOUR, great shot! Fleming continues where he
left off in previous innings, playing some gorgeously timed
drives, this one is a very full, straight ball from Blignaut, he
clips it off the toes through wide midwicket, deep square leg has
a long chase, but
despairs as all his effort comes to nothing, the ball picking up
pace over the carpet-like outfield
9.6 Blignaut to Fleming, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump,
eased into the covers in defence
End of over 10 (6 runs) New Zealand 45/1 (RR: 4.50 RRR: 208/40 = 5.20)
AM Blignaut 1-0-6-0 (1w) - Willows End
NJ Astle 4* (13b) SP Fleming 32* (31b 7x4)
Hondo returns to the field after a bit of treatment with the physio
10.1 Streak to Astle, wide: no run, shortish ball straying well down the
leg side, tries to glance it fine but misses, through to the
keeper
10.1 Streak to Astle, no run, tight shortish ball just outside off
stump, forced straight up to mid off in defence
10.2 Streak to Astle, one run, shortish lifting ball just outside off
stump, Astle does well to force it just wide of mid off to work it
for a single with a stroke
10.3 Streak to Fleming, FOUR, shot! Streak tries to come around the
wicket to the left-hander now, but to no avail, full outside off
stump and Fleming plays a sumptuous drive through extra cover,
splits the field to perfection, a collection job
10.4 Streak to Fleming, FOUR, and again! Streak losing the plot
somewhat, the roles getting reversed now (so to speak), digging it
in short, angling it well down the leg side and Fleming swings it
away through backward square leg, a strength area of his lately,
beats Hondo's chase
from a mere few metres away from fine leg, 36 of his 40 runs in
boundaries so far
10.5 Streak to Fleming, FOUR, Fleming continues to toy with Streak and
his field placements, superb batting, it's a slower ball, on leg
stump, shuffles inside it and deftly glances it fine, between
keeper and leg gully, now 40 of 44 runs in boundaries
10.6 Streak to Fleming, two runs, and more runs to Fleming to end the
over, shortish, straight ball, tucks it off the body through wide
midwicket, a long chase around in the deep for the man posted at
deep square leg
End of over 11 (16 runs) New Zealand 61/1 (RR: 5.55 RRR: 192/39 = 4.92)
HH Streak 6-0-37-0 (1w) - Loch Logan End
NJ Astle 5* (15b) SP Fleming 46* (35b 10x4)
16 off the over and New Zealand's run rate climbs well above the
required rate all of a sudden
11.1 Blignaut to Astle, two runs, fullish ball straying to leg stump,
clipped away through backward square leg, long leg around to field
in the deep
11.2 Blignaut to Astle, one run, shortish and fairly wide outside off
stump, strongly back cuts, in the air but safely wide of point,
third man races around in the deep, doing very well to keep them
down to just the single
11.3 Blignaut to Fleming, no run, good length ball angling across the
left-hander outside off stump, a loose swish and miss from
Fleming, a rare bad stroke, perhaps just a little over-eager to
dominate every ball now
11.4 Blignaut to Fleming, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump,
steers it away to backward point in defence
11.5 Blignaut to Fleming, no run, Blignaut switches to come around the
wicket to the left-hander, shortish ball outside off stump, leaves
alone to the keeper
11.6 Blignaut to Fleming, no run, good sharp short lifting ball angling
in on off stump, stands tall on the crease to play it down to
point in defence
End of over 12 (3 runs) New Zealand 64/1 (RR: 5.33 RRR: 189/38 = 4.97)
AM Blignaut 2-0-9-0 (1w) - Willows End
NJ Astle 8* (17b) SP Fleming 46* (39b 10x4)
Hondo returns, this time at the Loch Logan End, replacing the
expensive Streak
12.1 Hondo to Astle, no run, good fullish ball just outside off stump,
props forward in defence with bat/pad together, played solidly up
towards mid off, gentle enquiry for lbw from the bowler as it
flicks the outside of the front pad first
12.2 Hondo to Astle, no run, shortish ball seaming back in, looks to
work it off the body but is hurried onto, taken high on the pad
and drops down in close on the off side, overbalancing a little
12.3 Hondo to Astle, no run, good length rising ball outside off stump,
Astle tries to slash it square but plays and misses, through to
the keeper
12.4 Hondo to Astle, FOUR, too short from Hondo and Astle punishes it,
sits up on off stump, pulled through square leg, didn't get the
full middle on it as the bounce was just fractionally lower than
normal, but enough to get it to the rope with comfort
12.5 Hondo to Astle, no run, fullish, straight ball, shuffles forward,
firmly easing it up towards mid off
12.6 Hondo to Astle, FOUR, shot! poor delivery from Hondo and is duly
dispatched, short and wide outside off stump, Astle smashes it
away through point, Hondo again slips over on his follow through,
not such a great look after being hit for four, this time
End of over 13 (8 runs) New Zealand 72/1 (RR: 5.54 RRR: 181/37 = 4.89)
Douglas T Hondo 5-0-26-1 - Loch Logan End
SP Fleming 46* (39b 10x4) NJ Astle 16* (23b 2x4)
13.1 Blignaut to Fleming, no run, good tight fullish ball angling in on
off stump from around the wicket, watchfully defends into the
covers
13.2 Blignaut to Fleming, no run, shortish ball angling across the left-
hander, heading down the leg side, tries to whip it away very fine
but only gets a deflection off the top of the pad, Taibu does
tremendously to fling himself to his right and glove it down the
leg side
13.3 Blignaut to Fleming, OUT: Blignaut gets the much needed
breakthrough to end a quick fire stand, quicker, fullish ball
angling in from wide on the crease, Fleming plays across it,
struck on the pad on or just a fraction outside the line of off
stump, big appeal and up
New Zealand 72/2, Partnership of 45
SP Fleming lbw b Blignaut 46 (42b 10x4 0x6)
NJ Astle 16* (23b 2x4) AM Blignaut 2.3-0-9-1 (1w)
goes the dreaded (slow) finger of umpire Koertzen, was certainly
going to take out the stumps, just a question of where it struck
him, not a terrible call
the danger man Fleming is on his way for a fine 46 off just 42
balls, Zimbabwe looking to scrap this one out all the way, time
for a drinks break at the fall of wicket
Match State: Drinks
Scott Styris the new batsman
13.4 Blignaut to Styris, wide: no run, full and rather wide outside off
stump, left alone through to the keeper
13.4 Blignaut to Styris, no run, quicker, shortish, straight ball,
turned off the legs straight to square leg
13.5 Blignaut to Styris, two runs, fuller ball just angling into the
legs, whipped neatly away through backward square leg, two men
converge on it in the deep, Styris off the mark
13.6 Blignaut to Styris, no run, similar again, a little shorter, but
just as straight, Styris jumps across the crease, flicking it
straight to square leg
End of over 14 (3 runs) New Zealand 75/2 (RR: 5.36 RRR: 178/36 = 4.94)
AM Blignaut 3-0-12-1 (2w) - Willows End
NJ Astle 16* (23b 2x4) SB Styris 2* (3b)
14.1 Hondo to Astle, no run, fullish ball angling in on off stump,
clipped off the legs straight to midwicket
14.2 Hondo to Astle, one run, shortish, straight ball, firmly stroked
straight back down the pitch, gets a single as it hits the stumps
at the other end and pings away into space in the covers, as it
was covered by mid on
14.3 Hondo to Styris, wide: no run, full and strays very wide down the
leg side, left well alone through to the keeper
14.3 Hondo to Styris, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, stands
tall and plays a strong drive into the covers, straight to a
fielder however
14.4 Hondo to Styris, no run, stretches well forward to a fullish ball
outside off stump, playing with the front pad leading, is struck
on it by a delivery seaming back in, huge, prolonged appeal for
lbw led by Hondo, quite ridiculous really, struck him miles
outside the line of
off stump, umpire Hair just smiles as if to suggest they had to be
trying to have him on
14.5 Hondo to Styris, no run, good tight shortish ball on off stump,
eases it away towards point in defence
14.6 Hondo to Styris, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, firmly
forced straight up to mid off
End of over 15 (2 runs) New Zealand 77/2 (RR: 5.13 RRR: 176/35 = 5.03)
Douglas T Hondo 6-0-28-1 (1w) - Loch Logan End
NJ Astle 17* (25b 2x4) SB Styris 2* (7b)
15.1 Blignaut to Astle, one run, full outside off stump, firmly driven
along the ground straight out to the cover sweeper, now in place
with the fielding restrictions lifted after the ball prior
15.2 Blignaut to Styris, no run, digs in a good sharp short rising ball
on off stump, tucks Styris up nicely, hops on the crease, fending
it down at his feet
15.3 Blignaut to Styris, FOUR, super shot! rocks back to greet a
shortish ball outside off stump with a crunching forcing shot
through the covers, finds the gap and there's no sweeper in place
with him on strike early on in his innings
15.4 Blignaut to Styris, one run, low full toss outside off stump,
powerfully driven but straight to the cover fielder, awkwardly
fielded, rebounds away off his legs towards mid off, conceding a
quick single
15.5 Blignaut to Astle, no run, tight fullish ball angling in on off
stump, pushes forward, firmly defending straight back to the
bowler
15.6 Blignaut to Astle, no run, floats up a slower ball, rather full and
wide outside off stump, firmly caressed straight to cover
End of over 16 (6 runs) New Zealand 83/2 (RR: 5.19 RRR: 170/34 = 5.00)
AM Blignaut 4-0-18-1 (2w) - Willows End
SB Styris 7* (10b 1x4) NJ Astle 18* (28b 2x4)
16.1 Hondo to Styris, one run, shortish ball on off stump, wristily
whips it away to vacant square leg for an easy single
16.2 Hondo to Astle, no run, keeper Taibu stands up for Astle on strike
to Hondo, good tight shortish ball on off stump cramps Astle up,
tucks it down to midwicket in defence
16.3 Hondo to Astle, one run, full outside off stump, powerfully square
driven through point, but there is protection on the boundary out
there
16.4 Hondo to Styris, one run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
opens the face, gliding it down to wide third man
16.5 Hondo to Astle, no run, rather full outside off stump, drives and
misses, Taibu does very well to glove it low down on the half
volley, a good yorker length delivery
16.6 Hondo to Astle, one run, shortish, straight ball, tucked off the
legs out to the midwicket sweeper for a single to retain the
strike
End of over 17 (4 runs) New Zealand 87/2 (RR: 5.12 RRR: 166/33 = 5.03)
Douglas T Hondo 7-0-32-1 (1w) - Loch Logan End
NJ Astle 20* (32b 2x4) SB Styris 9* (12b 1x4)
17.1 Blignaut to Astle, legbye: one run, shortish ball strays to leg
stump, glanced off the thigh down to fine leg
17.2 Blignaut to Styris, one run, short and wide outside off stump,
Styris powerfully smacks it away through cover, but picks out the
sweeper in the deep so only gets a single for it
17.3 Blignaut to Astle, no run, shortish, straight ball, leans forward,
turning it down to shortish midwicket
17.4 Blignaut to Astle, three runs, nice shot by Astle is compounded for
Zimbabwe by some sloppy fielding, fullish and straight, timed off
the legs through wide mid on, beats two fielders through a narrow
gap, Whittall slides to stop it well inside the rope but misses it
somehow, has to
get up and chase again, just managing to tip it back inside the
rope by inches, though it requires some TV umpire scrutiny before
being given the all clear first
17.5 Blignaut to Styris, no run, very quick and full on off stump,
Styris just manages to jam it out, back down the pitch to Blignaut
on the bounce
17.6 Blignaut to Styris, one run, fullish ball outside off stump, runs a
thick outside edge down to Grant Flower at third man
End of over 18 (6 runs) New Zealand 93/2 (RR: 5.17 RRR: 160/32 = 5.00)
AM Blignaut 5-0-23-1 (2w) - Willows End
SB Styris 11* (15b 1x4) NJ Astle 23* (35b 2x4)
Grant Flower on to bowl, replacing Hondo at the Loch Logan End
18.1 GW Flower to Styris, one run, flat ball straightening on the legs,
clipped away out to deep square leg
18.2 GW Flower to Astle, one run, flighted up nicely on off stump,
reaches forward, nudging it away just forward of point, good quick
single taken as it dribbles away into space, the keeper having to
dash after it initially
18.3 GW Flower to Styris, no run, flat ball on off stump, turned off the
legs straight to short fine leg
18.4 GW Flower to Styris, wide: no run, flighted up full and wide down
the leg side, tries to flick it fine but misses, Taibu fumbles the
take
18.4 GW Flower to Styris, no run, nicely flighted outside off stump,
quietly taps it away into the covers
18.5 GW Flower to Styris, no run, similar again, well flighted outside
off stump, reaches forward, nudging it into the covers, looking
for a single but in vain
18.6 GW Flower to Styris, one run, flighted up fuller and straighter,
stroked down to long on for an easy single
End of over 19 (4 runs) New Zealand 97/2 (RR: 5.11 RRR: 156/31 = 5.03)
GW Flower 1-0-4-0 (1w) - Loch Logan End
SB Styris 13* (20b 1x4) NJ Astle 24* (36b 2x4)
19.1 Blignaut to Styris, no run, good sharp shortish ball cramping
Styris up on off stump, can only defend it straight back to the
bowler
19.2 Blignaut to Styris, OUT: Styris falls into a trap set, Blignaut
bounces him, goes for the inviting hook, makes great contact, but
sends it sailing straight down sub fielder Travis Friend's throat
just inside the rope at deep backward square leg
New Zealand 97/3, Partnership of 25
SB Styris c sub (TJ Friend) b Blignaut 13 (22b 1x4 0x6)
NJ Astle 24* (36b 2x4) AM Blignaut 5.2-0-23-2 (2w)
Zimbabwe keeping this contest very much alive, chipping away, not
making it easy, the current and required run rates intertwine once
again, it certainly looks game on from here
Chris Cairns the new batsman
19.3 Blignaut to Cairns, one run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
poked firmly away just forward of point, Ebrahim dives to his
right there, just unable to stop it cleanly, conceding the single
to Cairns who gets off the mark straight away
19.4 Blignaut to Astle, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, stands
tall on the crease, defending down in close on the off side
19.5 Blignaut to Astle, no run, tight shortish ball cutting back in off
the seam from outside off stump, squeezes it back on the leg side
of the pitch in defence
19.6 Blignaut to Astle, no run, high full toss outside off stump, firmly
stroked, straight up to mid off, watchfully playing it rather than
looking to dispatch it
End of over 20 (1 run) New Zealand 98/3 (RR: 4.90 RRR: 155/30 = 5.17)
AM Blignaut 6-0-24-2 (2w) - Willows End
CL Cairns 1* (1b) NJ Astle 24* (39b 2x4)
20.1 GW Flower to Cairns, no run, comes forward to a flighted, straight
ball, taken on the pad looking to work it to leg, hopeful shout
for lbw from the keeper alone
20.2 GW Flower to Cairns, no run, shuffles forward to a flighted ball
outside off stump, nudges it into the covers in defence
20.3 GW Flower to Cairns, one run, flatter, shorter ball, forced
straight down to long on off the back foot
20.4 GW Flower to Astle, no run, flighted up full and straight, firmly
pushed straight back to the bowler
20.5 GW Flower to Astle, no run, leans well forward, flighted up full
and straight, turns it away straight to short midwicket
20.6 GW Flower to Astle, no run, similar again, flighted up on off
stump, firmly pushed away towards midwicket
End of over 21 (1 run) New Zealand 99/3 (RR: 4.71 RRR: 154/29 = 5.31)
GW Flower 2-0-5-0 (1w) - Loch Logan End
CL Cairns 2* (4b) NJ Astle 24* (42b 2x4)
21.1 Blignaut to Cairns, no run, good sharp shortish ball on off stump,
squares Cairns right up as it seams away, played down into the
covers
21.2 Blignaut to Cairns, no run, fantastic fielding! shortish ball just
outside off stump, Cairns plays a savage back cut into the ground,
Ebrahim flings himself in the air to the right, plucking it
brilliantly whilst completely off the ground, stunningly good
fielding has the crowd
in awe, some thinking it was a catch, it was that good
21.3 Blignaut to Cairns, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
forced down into the covers in defence
21.4 Blignaut to Cairns, wide: no run, attempted slower ball, doesn't
come out of the hand at all well, very wide outside off stump,
left alone to the keeper to bring up the New Zealand 100
21.4 Blignaut to Cairns, FOUR, shot! attempted yorker this time, but
Cairns gets down on it quickly, squeezes it strongly straight up
the ground on the leg side, beats the late dive of mid on to his
left, mid off gives chase in vain as it races away
21.5 Blignaut to Cairns, one run, short rising ball with some width
outside off stump, cuts in the air through backward point, just
high and fine of Ebrahim, down to wide third man
21.6 Blignaut to Astle, no run, full outside off stump, leans forward,
leaving it alone through to the keeper
End of over 22 (6 runs) New Zealand 105/3 (RR: 4.77 RRR: 148/28 = 5.29)
AM Blignaut 7-0-30-2 (3w) - Willows End
CL Cairns 7* (9b 1x4) NJ Astle 24* (43b 2x4)
22.1 GW Flower to Cairns, no run, flighted up nicely on off stump, props
forward, solidly defending back to the bowler
22.2 GW Flower to Cairns, one run, shorter, flatter ball outside off
stump, driven out to the cover sweeper
22.3 GW Flower to Astle, one run, flat ball outside off stump, nudged
away forward of point into a gap for an easy single with the shot
22.4 GW Flower to Cairns, one run, flighted up full outside off stump,
strongly driven straight down to long off
22.5 GW Flower to Astle, one run, oooh, Astle playing a little riskily,
well flighted ball has him scooping it back down the pitch, a
little in the air, but safely straight and short of Flower diving
the wrong way, down to long off
22.6 GW Flower to Cairns, one run, flatter ball, leans forward, tapping
it down in close on the leg side, well run quick single taken with
the shot
End of over 23 (5 runs) New Zealand 110/3 (RR: 4.78 RRR: 143/27 = 5.30)
GW Flower 3-0-10-0 (1w) - Loch Logan End
CL Cairns 10* (13b 1x4) NJ Astle 26* (45b 2x4)
Guy Whittall on to bowl at the Willows End, replacing Blignaut
23.1 Whittall to Cairns, no run, fullish ball angling into the legs,
tries to clip it through midwicket but misses, balloons away back
on the off side of the pitch from the pad
23.2 Whittall to Cairns, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
forced from the crease straight down to long off
23.3 Whittall to Astle, no run, good tight shortish ball on off stump,
tucked down to short midwicket in defence
23.4 Whittall to Astle, two runs, fuller ball just drifting on to the
legs, neatly clipped away through backward square leg, good
teamwork in the outfield by Hondo and Friend to get the return in
smartly
23.5 Whittall to Astle, no run, fullish ball swinging in on off stump,
firmly driven straight back to the bowler
23.6 Whittall to Astle, one run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
forced away out to deep point
End of over 24 (4 runs) New Zealand 114/3 (RR: 4.75 RRR: 139/26 = 5.35)
GJ Whittall 1-0-4-0 - Willows End
NJ Astle 29* (49b 2x4) CL Cairns 11* (15b 1x4)
24.1 GW Flower to Astle, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, nudged
away towards backward point, Cairns looks for a quick single but
it's not there
24.2 GW Flower to Astle, no run, flighted up nicely on off stump, props
forward, defends back on the off side of the pitch
24.3 GW Flower to Astle, one run, flights up a low full toss outside off
stump, strongly driven straight down to long off
24.4 GW Flower to Cairns, no run, flighted up full on off stump, comes
well forward, defending with a dead bat, dropping it at his feet
24.5 GW Flower to Cairns, no run, well flighted up on off stump, comes
forward, drifts into the pads, rebounding away to short cover,
well bowled
24.6 GW Flower to Cairns, one run, flighted up full on the legs, turned
away just forward of square leg, into wide open space for a very
easy single
End of over 25 (2 runs) New Zealand 116/3 (RR: 4.64 RRR: 137/25 = 5.48)
GW Flower 4-0-12-0 (1w) - Loch Logan End
CL Cairns 12* (18b 1x4) NJ Astle 30* (52b 2x4)
25.1 Whittall to Cairns, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, firmly
driven straight to cover
25.2 Whittall to Cairns, one run, full outside off stump, driven
straight down to long off, this pair continue the slow, steady
milking process in the middle overs
25.3 Whittall to Astle, no run, fullish, straight ball, shuffles
forward, watchfully stroking it straight to midwicket off the toes
25.4 Whittall to Astle, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump,
strongly driven back on the off side of the pitch, smartly fields
off his own bowling to prevent a single
25.5 Whittall to Astle, two runs, oooh! shorter ball outside off stump,
stands tall, punches it out towards deep extra cover, they hurry
back for a very tight second run, Olonga swooping on it from
squarer in the deep, firing from side on at the bowler's end, just
wide of the stumps,
great attempt as Cairns stretches to get home, a direct hit
would've been a close race
25.6 Whittall to Astle, one run, fullish ball straying to leg stump,
clipped away out to deep square leg
End of over 26 (4 runs) New Zealand 120/3 (RR: 4.62 RRR: 133/24 = 5.54)
GJ Whittall 2-0-8-0 - Willows End
NJ Astle 33* (56b 2x4) CL Cairns 13* (20b 1x4)
26.1 GW Flower to Astle, no run, flighted up full and straight, leans
forward, pushing it straight back to the bowler
26.2 GW Flower to Astle, no run, props forward in defence to a quicker,
flatter ball just outside off stump, taken on the front pad, loud
shout for lbw from bowler and keeper, struck outside the line
26.3 GW Flower to Astle, one run, flighted up full outside off stump,
driven straight down to long off
26.4 GW Flower to Cairns, no run, flighted up full on off stump, props
forward, nudging it straight to cover
26.5 GW Flower to Cairns, one run, quicker, flatter, straight ball, taps
it down towards midwicket for a quick run, Flower lets out an
anguished cry as he thinks it has snuck through Cairns' defences
for a brief moment
26.6 GW Flower to Astle, no run, flat ball just outside off stump, back
cut straight to backward point
End of over 27 (2 runs) New Zealand 122/3 (RR: 4.52 RRR: 131/23 = 5.70)
GW Flower 5-0-14-0 (1w) - Loch Logan End
CL Cairns 14* (22b 1x4) NJ Astle 34* (60b 2x4)
27.1 Whittall to Cairns, one run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
firmly driven off the back foot straight to long off
27.2 Whittall to Astle, FOUR, oooh! a boundary after a dry period, Astle
cutting at a tight, fuller ball outside off stump, looking for a
forceful square drive, gets a thick bottom edge past the keeper,
races down to the straight third man boundary
27.3 Whittall to Astle, no run, full and drifting in on the toes,
clipped away straight to midwicket
27.4 Whittall to Astle, FOUR, amazing! carbon copy of the shot two balls
prior, rather full outside off stump, tries to square drive, gets
a thick bottom edge just past the keeper's pads, and races down to
the straight third man boundary!
27.5 Whittall to Astle, one run, attempted yorker, a little late swing,
digs it out well, playing it down to long off
27.6 Whittall to Cairns, one run, very full on off stump, driven
strongly straight down to long off
End of over 28 (11 runs) New Zealand 133/3 (RR: 4.75 RRR: 120/22 = 5.45)
GJ Whittall 3-0-19-0 - Willows End
CL Cairns 16* (24b 1x4) NJ Astle 43* (64b 4x4)
28.1 GW Flower to Cairns, no run, nicely flighted up on middle and leg
and gets some turn back across the right hander, Cairns props
forward, gets the leading edge, dropping tamely in close on the
leg side
28.2 GW Flower to Cairns, one run, flighted up full and drifting in on
the toes, strongly driven down to wide long on
28.3 GW Flower to Astle, one run, flights up a high full toss, content
to milk it rather than go for a big shot, driving straight down to
long on
28.4 GW Flower to Cairns, one run, well flighted outside off stump,
Cairns reaches for it somewhat away from his body, but does well
to play a controlled steering shot through the gap at point for a
single
28.5 GW Flower to Astle, (noball) no run, a naughty extra conceded by
the spinner, flighted up outside off stump, defends down in close
on the off side
28.5 GW Flower to Astle, no run, flighted up full and straight, props
forward, turning it away to midwicket
28.6 GW Flower to Astle, one run, flighted up very full, driven straight
down to long on for an easy single
End of over 29 (5 runs) New Zealand 138/3 (RR: 4.76 RRR: 115/21 = 5.48)
GW Flower 6-0-19-0 (1w 1nb) - Loch Logan End
NJ Astle 45* (68b 4x4) CL Cairns 18* (27b 1x4)
Sean Ervine on to bowl, replacing Whittall at the Willows End
29.1 Ervine to Astle, no run, good start, on target, yorker length and
swinging in late, digs it out to cover
29.2 Ervine to Astle, FOUR, fine shot! just slightly overpitched outside
off stump, plays a crunching drive on the up through extra cover,
perfect placement, finding the gap in the deep
29.3 Ervine to Astle, one run, fullish ball outside off stump, sweetly
driven towards extra cover, good diving partial stop, but it is
deflected away towards mid off, conceding the single, brings up
Astle's 50 off 71 balls, 5x4
29.4 Ervine to Cairns, no run, tight shortish ball lifting on off stump,
defends with a straight bat from the crease, playing to cover
29.5 Ervine to Cairns, no run, digs in a short rising ball just outside
off stump, shapes to pull but Cairns bails out late, letting it go
through to the keeper
29.6 Ervine to Cairns, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, cuts
hard at it, only succeeding in getting a bottom edge, bouncing
well short of Taibu, who takes it well falling down the leg side
to stop it on the bounce
End of over 30 (5 runs) New Zealand 143/3 (RR: 4.77 RRR: 110/20 = 5.50)
SM Ervine 1-0-5-0 - Willows End
NJ Astle 50* (71b 5x4) CL Cairns 18* (30b 1x4)
30.1 GW Flower to Astle, one run, Flower switches to come over the
wicket now, flighted up on the toes, turned around the corner,
played just wide of short fine leg for a leisurely single with the
shot
30.2 GW Flower to Cairns, no run, oooh boy! Cairns is tempted to advance
at Flower for the first time, and is nearly done by a well
flighted ball, just manages to bail out of the shot at the last
minute, just jabbing down on it in defence
30.3 GW Flower to Cairns, one run, flighted up full and straight, turned
off the toes towards midwicket, good running to scamper through
for a quick single with the shot
30.4 GW Flower to Astle, FOUR, shorter ball outside off stump, gets
extra bounce, Astle tries to cut through cover, gets a thick top
edge past the keeper, no slip in place and short third man is a
bit square, Whittall gives chase but the outfield is fast
Whittall grimaces as he pulls up a little once the ball hits the
rope, may have had a slight hamstring twinge ... the poor
Zimbabweans having an injury crisis today!
30.5 GW Flower to Astle, no run, flighted up full on off stump, props
well forward, defending back down the pitch to the bowler
30.6 GW Flower to Astle, one run, flighted up very full on off stump,
driven firmly straight down to long off to keep the strike
End of over 31 (7 runs) New Zealand 150/3 (RR: 4.84 RRR: 103/19 = 5.42)
GW Flower 7-0-26-0 (1w 1nb) - Loch Logan End
NJ Astle 56* (75b 6x4) CL Cairns 19* (32b 1x4)
that brings up the New Zealand 150, and Astle's boundary earlier in
the over brought in the 50 partnership between this pair, cool and
controlled so far
Whittall walks off the field, he's in trouble, and a third sub
fielder is employed by the Zimbabweans!
31.1 Ervine to Astle, legbye: FOUR, full and swinging away down the leg
side, gets a little brush of the pad as he looks to glance it
away, just beats the diving attempt of Taibu to his left, racing
down to the fine boundary
31.2 Ervine to Astle, one run, shortish lifting ball just cutting back
in from outside off stump, cuts with little room to work with,
getting it away down to wide third man
31.3 Ervine to Cairns, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, taps it
down towards Ebrahim scooting in from backward point
31.4 Ervine to Cairns, no run, fullish ball just drifting in from
outside off stump, mistimes a driven straight up to mid on,
brought up inside the circle
31.5 Ervine to Cairns, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, stands
tall on the crease, punching it down the ground, just past Ervine
on his follow through, down to long off
31.6 Ervine to Astle, no run, tight shortish ball cutting back in on off
stump, keeper standing up to the stumps for Astle on strike, chops
it down to midwicket in defence
End of over 32 (6 runs) New Zealand 156/3 (RR: 4.88 RRR: 97/18 = 5.39)
SM Ervine 2-0-7-0 - Willows End
CL Cairns 20* (35b 1x4) NJ Astle 57* (78b 6x4)
time for a drinks break as this pair swing New Zealand back towards
a position of control, but there's still 97 runs to get in 18
overs, it's far from over just yet
Match State: Drinks
32.1 GW Flower to Cairns, no run, flighted up very full and straight
from over the wicket, turned off the toes straight to short fine
leg
32.2 GW Flower to Cairns, one run, very similar again, this time leans
forward to work it square of the man at midwicket for the single
32.3 GW Flower to Astle, no run, flighted up nicely on off stump, props
forward, watchfully easing it to cover in defence
32.4 GW Flower to Astle, one run, flighted up very full on off stump,
driven firmly straight down to long off
32.5 GW Flower to Cairns, no run, props forward to a flighted ball
turning into the pad from outside leg stump, rebounds away into
the covers, Cairns content to cover up in defence
32.6 GW Flower to Cairns, one run, oh boy oh boy oh boy, a big moment in
the game, Cairns sheds the role of defence and has a go at a
flighted ball on leg stump, lofts it very high over square leg,
three fielders converge on it before the man charges in from the
boundary, dives forward
End of over 33 (3 runs) New Zealand 159/3 (RR: 4.82 RRR: 94/17 = 5.53)
GW Flower 8-0-29-0 (1w 1nb) - Loch Logan End
CL Cairns 22* (39b 1x4) NJ Astle 58* (80b 6x4)
but spills it, it's sub fielder Douglas Marillier, having to
contend with many things as Blignaut and Ebrahim also chased it
down from inside the circle, not confident at all and a big chance
goes down
33.1 Ervine to Cairns, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, forced
straight back down the pitch to the bowler
33.2 Ervine to Cairns, no run, digs in a quicker, shortish lifting ball
outside off stump, looks to flat bat it down the ground on the off
side, drags it straight back down the pitch to the bowler on the
bounce on his follow through
33.3 Ervine to Cairns, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, stands
tall and powerfully punches it straight up to mid off, Zimbabwe
bring the field in more for Cairns to force him to risk going over
the top
33.4 Ervine to Cairns, FOUR, shot! digs it in short down the leg side
and is duly punished, pulled powerfully hard and flat in the air
over backward square leg, just pitches inches inside the rope
33.5 Ervine to Cairns, FOUR, shot! two in two balls, this time gets the
shot that he wanted many times earlier in the over, shortish,
straight ball, stands tall and punches it straight back down the
pitch, past the bowler, stumps and umpire, mid off and mid on are
up, so it races
away from them all
33.6 Ervine to Cairns, two runs, poor cricket from the Zimbabweans,
falling off their game now, shortish ball just outside off stump,
opens the face, guiding it down to wide third man, sloppy return
from Flower to the keeper, goes wide and concedes an overthrow
End of over 34 (10 runs) New Zealand 169/3 (RR: 4.97 RRR: 84/16 = 5.25)
SM Ervine 3-0-17-0 - Willows End
NJ Astle 58* (80b 6x4) CL Cairns 32* (45b 3x4)
34.1 GW Flower to Astle, no run, nicely flighted on off stump, reaches
half forward, easing it away to point in defence
34.2 GW Flower to Astle, no run, flighted up full on the toes, turned
around the corner straight to short fine leg
34.3 GW Flower to Astle, no run, flighted up very full on off stump,
forced strongly back on the off side of the pitch, Flower darts to
his left to field well off his own bowling
34.4 GW Flower to Astle, one run, gives it more air, flighting it up on
the toes, Astle waits on it, driving firmly down to long on, wide
of Flower sliding to his right to try and stop it again
34.5 GW Flower to Cairns, no run, nicely flighted up full and straight,
Cairns checks the shot, poking it straight back to the bowler
34.6 GW Flower to Cairns, no run, flighted up full and straight, firmly
driven straight back to the bowler, Flower again fielding well off
his own bowling
End of over 35 (1 run) New Zealand 170/3 (RR: 4.86 RRR: 83/15 = 5.53)
GW Flower 9-0-30-0 (1w 1nb) - Loch Logan End
NJ Astle 59* (84b 6x4) CL Cairns 32* (47b 3x4)
Blignaut returns, replacing Ervine at the Willows End
35.1 Blignaut to Astle, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
watchfully defends back on the off side of the pitch
35.2 Blignaut to Astle, one run, short ball outside off stump,
powerfully crashed away out to the deep cover sweeper, they walk
through for the single
35.3 Blignaut to Cairns, one run, shortish ball angling into the body,
turned away out to deep square leg
35.4 Blignaut to Astle, one run, short and wide outside off stump,
firmly cuts it straight to deep point, picking off the singles
with ease
35.5 Blignaut to Cairns, one run, full and straying on the legs, clipped
away down to long leg for yet another easy single
35.6 Blignaut to Astle, no run, fullish ball angling in on off stump,
leans forward, firmly stroking it up to mid on
End of over 36 (4 runs) New Zealand 174/3 (RR: 4.83 RRR: 79/14 = 5.64)
AM Blignaut 8-0-34-2 (3w) - Willows End
CL Cairns 34* (49b 3x4) NJ Astle 61* (88b 6x4)
36.1 GW Flower to Cairns, one run, flighted up on the legs, worked away
just wide of midwicket for a quick single, there's a shy that goes
well wide at the bowler's end as Cairns scampers through, partly
bowling over himself as he bundles into Flower while charging
through
36.2 GW Flower to Astle, one run, oooh boy! Astle lives dangerously this
time, this single is much tighter than the last, playing the same
shot to the same delivery, the throw is wild however and he
escapes, a direct hit and he was goneburgers
36.3 GW Flower to Cairns, no run, flat ball turning in on the legs,
firmly tucked away straight to midwicket this time
36.4 GW Flower to Cairns, one run, flighted up full outside off stump,
nudged into a gap in the covers for an easy single
36.5 GW Flower to Astle, no run, flighted up full and straight, Astle
props forward, quietly defending back to the bowler
36.6 GW Flower to Astle, no run, nicely flighted up on off stump, props
forward again, quietly seeing Flower's spell out, defending in
close on the leg side
End of over 37 (3 runs) New Zealand 177/3 (RR: 4.78 RRR: 76/13 = 5.85)
GW Flower 10-0-33-0 (1w 1nb) - Loch Logan End
CL Cairns 36* (52b 3x4) NJ Astle 62* (91b 6x4)
Flower ends up with very tidy figures, but no wickets, he can only
keep the pressure on at one end, needs help at the other, but
Zimbabwe seem to be lacking the magic formula for the most part up
to now
37.1 Blignaut to Cairns, no run, full and straight, strongly driven
straight up to mid on
37.2 Blignaut to Cairns, one run, slower ball, short and sits up outside
off stump, Cairns strongly forces it through vacant cover in the
air, out to the sweeper
37.3 Blignaut to Astle, no run, good tight shortish, straight ball,
tucked down to midwicket in defence
run rate required hits run a ball for the first time now, though
Zimbabwe need wickets to make it more interesting
37.4 Blignaut to Astle, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
forced from the crease straight to cover point
Streak desperate for a wicket, and doing well in trying to find
one, bring more fielders inside the circle, particularly on the
off side, forcing the batsmen to go over the top more now
37.5 Blignaut to Astle, no run, full outside off stump, firmly driven
but straight up to mid off, just a little bit more pressure now
with a tight over by Blignaut
37.6 Blignaut to Astle, FOUR, but Blignaut undoes all his good work with
a half volley outside off stump, Astle drives wonderfully wide of
mid off and once it pierces the infield there now, it's away for
four
End of over 38 (5 runs) New Zealand 182/3 (RR: 4.79 RRR: 71/12 = 5.92)
AM Blignaut 9-0-39-2 (3w) - Willows End
CL Cairns 37* (54b 3x4) NJ Astle 66* (95b 7x4)
the required rate ducks back just under run a ball thanks to that
shot, but while this pair remain together at the wicket, the more
of a formality this chase will become
Streak brings himself on, replacing Flower at the Loch Logan End,
he has four overs left and really must find a wicket in the next
couple of overs to keep their chances alive
38.1 Streak to Cairns, no run, fullish, straight ball on off stump,
firmly driven straight up to mid on
38.2 Streak to Cairns, one run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
punched down to widish long off, looking for two but Hondo covers
ground very well to get a quick return in and prevent the second
38.3 Streak to Astle, no run, Taibu stands up to the stumps with Astle
on strike to Streak, tight shortish ball on off stump, forced
straight up to mid on from the crease
38.4 Streak to Astle, FOUR, oooh! Astle rides his luck, fortune favours
the brave, they say, good shortish lifting straight ball cutting
back in off the seam, Astle drives from the crease, gets a thick
inside edge over the stumps, and races to the very fine boundary
38.5 Streak to Astle, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, chops it
away just behind point, past Ebrahim flinging himself a long way
to his right towards it, but there is protection in the deep, just
the single anyway
38.6 Streak to Cairns, no run, tight shortish ball angling in on the
legs, defends from the crease, playing it down into the off side
End of over 39 (6 runs) New Zealand 188/3 (RR: 4.82 RRR: 65/11 = 5.91)
HH Streak 7-0-43-0 (1w) - Loch Logan End
NJ Astle 71* (98b 8x4) CL Cairns 38* (57b 3x4)
the umpires inspect the ball, which has discoloured at roughly the
typical time, so they ask reserve umpire Venkat to bring out the
suitcase of potential replacements
39.1 Blignaut to Astle, no run, very full and straight, a very low full
toss on the legs, clipped away strongly but played straight to
midwicket
39.2 Blignaut to Astle, one run, short and fairly wide outside off
stump, cut straight out to the cover sweeper
39.3 Blignaut to Cairns, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump,
shuffles forward, tapping it down on the leg side in defence
39.4 Blignaut to Cairns, one run, full and straying to leg stump,
clipped away out to deep square leg
39.5 Blignaut to Astle, no run, full outside off stump, strongly drives
along the ground, but straight up to mid off
39.6 Blignaut to Astle, no run, excellent yorker length ball just
outside off stump, Astle can only but dig it out to cover, just
two off the over
End of over 40 (2 runs) New Zealand 190/3 (RR: 4.75 RRR: 63/10 = 6.30)
AM Blignaut 10-0-41-2 (3w) - Willows End
CL Cairns 39* (59b 3x4) NJ Astle 72* (102b 8x4)
just to keep things a little interesting for the last 10 overs, 63
required off them, but the wickets in hand figure still looms
large in the equation
40.1 Streak to Cairns, no run, good tight fullish ball on off stump,
firmly stroked straight up to mid off
40.2 Streak to Cairns, SIX, superb shot! Cairns unleashes, releasing the
mini pressure again, shortish ball, picks it up over wide
midwicket, all upper body strength, great clean blow that easily
clears the boundary
40.3 Streak to Cairns, no run, shortish, straight ball on off stump,
pushes it firmly straight back down the pitch to the bowler
40.4 Streak to Cairns, one run, fuller, straight ball, chipped straight
down the ground on the leg side, long on across to field, brings
up a fine 100 partnership off 129 balls
40.5 Streak to Astle, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, cuts
hard into the ground, another fine athletic half stop by Ebrahim
flinging himself in the air to his right from backward point,
can't prevent a single though, as he parries it away to cover
40.6 Streak to Cairns, no run, good shorter ball, gets extra bounce
outside off stump, Cairns is somewhat deceived by it, shaping for
one shot and having to stop it, and prevent himself from
overbalancing as keeper Taibu takes it smartly, standing up to the
stumps
End of over 41 (8 runs) New Zealand 198/3 (RR: 4.83 RRR: 55/9 = 6.11)
HH Streak 8-0-51-0 (1w) - Loch Logan End
NJ Astle 73* (103b 8x4) CL Cairns 46* (64b 3x4 1x6)
Ervine returns, replacing Blignaut at the Willows End
41.1 Ervine to Astle, FOUR, shot! full and straight, Astle opens the
arms and crashes it straight back down the ground past the bowler,
just misses the stumps at the other end, and with mid on and mid
off up inside the circle it's a certain boundary
that stroke also brings up the New Zealand 200
41.2 Ervine to Astle, wide: no run, full and wide, swinging away
further, Astle chases after this one but can't catch up to it
41.2 Ervine to Astle, one run, good length ball outside off stump, Astle
plays uppishly, scooping it through the covers, just wide of the
extra cover man, out to the sweeper
41.3 Ervine to Cairns, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, stands
tall on the crease, punching it away out through the covers, the
sweeper around to field in the deep as they walk through for the
single
41.4 Ervine to Astle, one run, shortish rising ball outside off stump,
gets some extra bounce but Astle does well to get over the top of
it, back cutting down to third man
41.5 Ervine to Cairns, one run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
Cairns plays a more orthodox steer, opening the face to guide it
straight down to Flower at third man
41.6 Ervine to Astle, one run, digs it in a bit shorter, Astle pulls it
away firmly out to the midwicket sweeper, a 10 run over keeps the
runs and balls remaining equation well on New Zealand's side
End of over 42 (10 runs) New Zealand 208/3 (RR: 4.95 RRR: 45/8 = 5.62)
SM Ervine 4-0-27-0 (1w) - Willows End
NJ Astle 80* (107b 9x4) CL Cairns 48* (66b 3x4 1x6)
42.1 Streak to Astle, two runs, shortish ball outside off stump,
strongly back cuts behind Ebrahim at backward point, two fielders
converge just inside the rope to cut it off in the deep
42.2 Streak to Astle, one run, shortish lifting ball outside off stump,
cut away straight to the deep point man
42.3 Streak to Cairns, no run, tight, good length ball just outside off
stump, steers it away straight to Ebrahim at backward point
42.4 Streak to Cairns, no run, tight shortish lifting ball angling in on
off stump, stands tall on the crease, playing a dead bat defensive
shot into the pitch
42.5 Streak to Cairns, no run, good line and length from Streak, fuller
ball on off stump, firmly driven straight to extra cover
42.6 Streak to Cairns, no run, excellent finish to the over, digs it in
shorter on off stump, the extra bounce has Cairns defending up
towards mid off
End of over 43 (3 runs) New Zealand 211/3 (RR: 4.91 RRR: 42/7 = 6.00)
HH Streak 9-0-54-0 (1w) - Loch Logan End
NJ Astle 83* (109b 9x4) CL Cairns 48* (70b 3x4 1x6)
back to run a ball required from the final seven overs, but things
feel rather flat at the ground, the crowd have been subdued for
most of the day, except for that brief patch at the very end of
the Zimbabwe innings when all hell broke loose
there'd need to be a lot more breaking loose in the final seven
overs here for anyone to get excited again!
43.1 Ervine to Astle, no run, good shortish ball angling in to the body,
cramps Astle up as he plays it into the pad from an inside edge,
drops away inside on the off side
43.2 Ervine to Astle, no run, good shortish ball on off stump, pokes it
back on the off side of the pitch to the bowler who quickly fields
on the bounce, parrying it up, swivelling around, Astle is well
forward and has to dive back into his crease as the bowler flings
it back to
Taibu who whips off the bails, the TV umpire is referred to, and it
seems only an indecisive end-on view is available, but it does
show Astle is more than likely safe, and umpire de Silva presses
the green light
43.3 Ervine to Astle, one run, oh boy! Astle lives dangerously again,
going for a big heave to a short ball rising sharply on off stump,
miscues it badly, but somehow sees it lob safely into the outfield
at square leg away from any fielders, riding his luck
43.4 Ervine to Cairns, no run, excellent yorker length ball just a
fraction outside off stump, drives and misses, just misses off
stump, very, very close, Taibu partially stops it, but has to tidy
up as it trickles behind him
43.5 Ervine to Cairns, SIX, take that! digs in short ball and Cairns
latches on to it in fine style, pulling high, wide and handsome
over midwicket, brings up his 50 in fine style, off 72 balls, 3x4,
2x6
43.6 Ervine to Cairns, OUT: but he's gone next ball! goes for another
big shot, eyeing the sightscreen, but it's a fine inswinging
delivery from outside off stump, plays all around it and the
timber is disturbed
New Zealand 218/4, Partnership of 121
CL Cairns b Ervine 54 (73b 3x4 2x6)
End of over 44 (7 runs) New Zealand 218/4 (RR: 4.95 RRR: 35/6 = 5.83)
SM Ervine 5-0-34-1 (1w) - Willows End
NJ Astle 84* (112b 9x4)
ends a fine innings with really only one chance provided, and a
controlling middle-overs stand of 121 between Cairns and Astle is
ceased
New Zealand still require 35 from 36 balls to win, just tangoing
with the balls remaining in the equation at the moment, has been a
few dot balls and dicey moments just to tease and tantalise
but it would be a collapse of scary proportions that would see them
fail to pick up the four points for the win from here
Chris Harris the new batsman
44.1 Streak to Astle, FOUR, oooh! good length ball from Streak, Astle
pulls across the line, almost undone by the slightly less amount
of bounce, swings it away through backward square leg, and finds
the gap in the deep to perfection in the end, even though it
wasn't cleanly struck
44.2 Streak to Astle, one run, very full and swinging in on the toes,
driven straight down to long on
44.3 Streak to Harris, no run, full outside off stump, firmly driven
straight to cover
44.4 Streak to Harris, no run, good length ball angling on off stump,
nudged away into the covers again, the crowd start to pick up,
cheering each dot ball now
down to 30 off 32 needed now
44.5 Streak to Harris, no run, Harris jumps down the track to a
shortish, straight ball, firmly pushed it up towards mid on,
looking for a quick run but it's not on, Astle has to get back
smartly, does so easily in the end as the ball is flung wide at
the bowler's end, well backed up
44.6 Streak to Harris, no run, good length ball on off stump, jumps
forward again, taken on the front pad trying to nudge it into the
covers, hopeful appeal for lbw by Streak to end his spell
End of over 45 (5 runs) New Zealand 223/4 (RR: 4.96 RRR: 30/5 = 6.00)
HH Streak 10-0-59-0 (1w) - Loch Logan End
NJ Astle 89* (114b 10x4) CZ Harris 0* (4b)
back to run a ball required, New Zealand seem desperate to take
this one to the last over!
Hondo returns, replacing Ervine at the Willows End
45.1 Hondo to Astle, two runs, shortish ball angling into the body,
clipped away just wide of midwicket, Harris hurries back for the
second as long on is around in the deep to field, 28 off 29 to
win, Astle into the 90s
45.2 Hondo to Astle, one run, fullish ball swinging in, goes for a big
shot, playing across it a little, drags it away along the ground
to the midwicket sweeper, 27 off 28 to win
45.3 Hondo to Harris, FOUR, poor ball from Hondo releases any pressure
building yet again, low full toss outside off stump, driven
sweetly wide of mid off and leaves the fielders for dead, Harris
off the mark in style, down to 23 off 27 to win
45.4 Hondo to Harris, one run, oooh! shortish ball just outside off
stump, taps it down just forward of point, a very tight quick
single taken, the throw to the keeper isn't so great, Taibu having
to back-flick it on to the stumps as Astle scrambles through, TV
umpire referred to but
is found to be just safe, was a rather poor throw
45.5 Hondo to Astle, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, pounded
away straight to the deep point fielder, 21 off 25 needed
45.6 Hondo to Harris, FOUR, shot! juicy fullish ball and Harris lofts
through the line, powerfully smacking it hard and high over wide
long on, just pitches inside the boundary, the midwicket sweeper
can't get around to that one in time
End of over 46 (13 runs) New Zealand 236/4 (RR: 5.13 RRR: 17/4 = 4.25)
Douglas T Hondo 8-0-45-1 (1w) - Willows End
NJ Astle 93* (117b 10x4) CZ Harris 9* (7b 2x4)
a big over for New Zealand, suddenly it's a doddle, just 17 off 24
needed now
46.1 Ervine to Astle, no run, good ball, shortish ball outside off
stump, keeps a little low through to the keeper, Astle cuts and
misses, playing all over the top of it, well taken by Taibu
standing up to the stumps
46.2 Ervine to Astle, one run, very full and angling right in to Astle,
drives strongly from the toes up towards straight mid on, running
with the shot, 16 off 22 needed
46.3 Ervine to Harris, one run, good yorker length ball on the toes,
Harris stumbles all over himself to keep it out, squeezing it up
towards mid on, running with the shot again, 15 off 21 required
46.4 Ervine to Astle, two runs, shortish lifting ball outside off stump,
back cuts well down through backward point, third man around in
the deep to field, 13 off 20 needed
46.5 Ervine to Astle, two runs, very full ball swinging in to the legs,
clips it away just wide of mid on, sliding stop attempted but
poorly executed by Grant Flower, sneaks through to concede an
extra run, 11 off 19 needed
46.6 Ervine to Astle, FOUR, and there it is, Astle notches a second
World Cup 100, and he's absolutely stoked, steps away to free the
arms, full ball outside off stump and launches it hard and high
over extra cover, just pitches inside the rope, 100 off 122 balls,
11x4
End of over 47 (10 runs) New Zealand 246/4 (RR: 5.23 RRR: 7/3 = 2.33)
SM Ervine 6-0-44-1 (1w) - Loch Logan End
CZ Harris 10* (8b 2x4) NJ Astle 102* (122b 11x4)
it's been a long, long time between drinks for Astle at World Cups,
after making his debut in the 1996 tournament with a first-up ton,
then followed it up with a long sequence of wretched failures,
it's a real monkey off his back now, a fine time to do it
just 7 required off 3 overs now, it's a cakewalk, officially!
47.1 Hondo to Harris, no run, tight, shortish, straight ball, tucked up
in defence, played to midwicket, with most of the field now inside
the circle
47.2 Hondo to Harris, wide: two runs, slower, short ball down the leg
side, Harris tries to glance it fine but misses, so does Taibu,
failing to glove cleanly, deflected down towards fine leg, three
free runs
47.2 Hondo to Harris, FOUR, and there it is, the game ends with an
emphatic blow from Harris, short, straight ball outside off stump,
heaves it almightily high over midwicket, pitches a couple of
metres inside the rope, almost comes to a stop but trickles into
the rope, teasing
the chasing fielder, that is the winning runs, New Zealand winners
by 6 wickets with 16 balls to spare, a clinical chase, led by
Astle's foundation knock of 102* at his new-found position of No
3, and boy has it proven successful this tournament
New Zealand did make their task a heck of a lot more difficult than
it should've been, after having Zimbabwe on the ropes at 106/6
after 24 overs, they could've realistically looked to knock them
over for around 150, but in the end Zimbabwe fought
brilliantly at the death to send the run rate steepling and the
total to 100 more than expected, giving the Kiwis a real challenge
they fought hard in the field throughout, but just lacked that bit
of class, or a match-turner in their side to pull off something
spectacular, and it allowed the New Zealanders to hold their nerve
and bat patiently throughout their chase
Streak was expensive early, and was only marginally better at the
end, he was the one who really needed to lead from the front (even
though he had done more than his fair share with his fantastic 72
not out earlier), and Hondo proved costly too, despite
getting the initial breakthrough, Blignaut and Flower did their
best to slow things down in the middle, but Cairns and Astle
always looked on top of things, pacing things expertly
Fleming got the innings off to a flier in classy style, 10 great
boundaries in his knock of 46, but once he and Styris went things
were still poised fairly evenly
the Astle/Cairns stand took the game away from Zimbabwe, Cairns
having a very consistent World Cup with the bat, scoring 54 after
knocks of 32, 37, 33 not out and 31
Astle's raising of his second World Cup ton brought an emotional
response from the batsman, you could see just what it meant to
him, in what is likely to be his last World Cup, on his last legs
as it were, with a deteriorating knee problem, amongst others
it's his 13th One-Day International century too, easily the most by
a New Zealander, heading off Fleming, Cairns and Martin Crowe who
have four apiece, and he leaps back ahead of Herschelle Gibbs and
Ricky Ponting on the overall list, joining Gary
Kirsten on 13 centuries in 8th equal, a fine effort from a
provincial dibbly dobbly bowler and No 10 batsman converted into
an international opener, and now (so far) successful No 3
this result leaves Zimbabwe's hopes of reaching the semi-finals
hanging by a loose thread, now needing to beat both Sri Lanka and
Kenya to have any mathematical chance of qualifying
New Zealand now face Australia in a big clash at Port Elizabeth on
Tuesday, the two teams having just one lost on the field between
them in the tournament so far, while Zimbabwe meet Kenya in a
must-win match at this same venue on Wednesday
that concludes CricInfo's coverage of this 3rd Super Six match of
the ICC World Cup 2003, please join us again on Monday at 10am
local time (0800 GMT) for the 4th game, between India and Sri
Lanka, another big clash, at Johannesburg
until then it's goodbye from Bloemfontein, any comments about
today's coverage can be sent to comms@cricinfo.com - all feedback
is greatly appreciated