Kiwis enjoy Zimbabwe stroll

McCullum and Guptill steer Black Caps to 10 wicket triumph

By Joe Drabble   Last updated: 4th March 2011  

2011 World Cup New Zealand v Zimbabwe Group A Ahmedabad Daniel Vettori celebrates Regis Chakabva wicket

Vettori celebrates the wicket of Chakabva

2011 World Cup New Zealand v Zimbabwe Group A Ahmedabad Brendan Taylor

Taylor was the only Zimbabwe batsman to offer any resistance

2011 Cricket World Cup New Zealand v Zimbabwe Group A Ahmedabad Hamish Bennett celebrates Brendan Taylor run out

Bennett takes the plaudits for his brilliant run out

2011 World Cup New Zealand v Zimbabwe Group A Ahmedabad Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum

Guptill & McCullum: Job done

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New Zealand boosted their hopes of qualifying from Group A with a crushing 10-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in Motera.

The Black Caps, who suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Australia in their previous World Cup fixture, bounced back in emphatic style by dismissing Zimbabwe for just 162.

Pace bowler Tim Southee took three wickets as only Brendan Taylor (44) offered any batting resistance.

It was then left to Kiwi openers Martin Guptill (86 not out) and Brendon McCullum (76no) to steer their side home with 16.3 overs remaining.

While Guptill and McCullum will take the plaudits, the foundation for the victory was set by a disciplined bowling performance earlier in the day.

Despite winning the toss and electing to bat first, Zimbabwe suffered a dreadful start as Hamish Bennett ran out opener Charles Coventry with a direct hit in just the second over.

There was a momentary reprieve in the eighth over when Daniel Vettori dropped a simple chance to remove Tatenda Taibu, however Southee grabbed the ball and trapped the Zimbabwe gloveman lbw with his very next delivery.

Fighting

The score was 27-2 at this point, however a dramatic mid-order collapse put the Black Caps in total control.

Craig Ervine (11), captain Elton Chigumbura (1) and Regis Chakabva (0) fell for the addition of just four runs as Kyle Mills (2-29) and Vettori (2-25) turned the screw.

Taylor was the only anchor for the Zimbabwe innings, hitting four boundaries in his 57-ball knock. But when he fell lbw to Scott Styris in the 24th over with his side on 86, there was no way back.

Greg Lamb was run out for 18 and Prosper Utseya scored a fighting 36, however Southee returned to bring a speedy end to the innings.

Guptill began the Kiwi chase in emphatic fashion, smashing two boundaries and a six in the first over while McCullum found his boundary shots after a comparatively slower start.

Zimbabwe's bowlers provided very little resistance - their attempts at wicket-taking reduced to half-hearted appeals and one unsuccessful umpire review - with Guptill bringing up his half-century in 68 balls.

McCullum followed soon after, hitting a boundary to cross the mark, as the duo - who ended with 13 boundaries and four sixes between them - knocked off the remaining runs to ensure New Zealand joined South Africa as only the second team to record two 10-wicket wins at a World Cup.

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