New Zealand vs Scotland ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Early wicket whirlpool, Machan-Berrington fight back, Corey Anderson’s course-changing wickets and other highlights
New Zealand vs Scotland ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Highlights
As expected, Scotland couldn’t win against New Zealand in the ICC Cricket World Cup match. New Zealand beat Scotland but with a narrow margin of three wickets and 25 overs to spare. Rishad D’Souza looks back at the vital moments of this exciting encounter.
Wicket whirlpool: After winning the toss and putting Scotland in to bat, the New Zealand pace duo of Trent Boult and Tim Southee made use of the movement in the air and off the pitch to wreck carnage among the Scottish top-order. Boult got the wickets of Calum MacLeod and Hamish Gardiner in the very second over, while Southee saw the back of Kyle Coetzer and Preston Mommsen in the fifth over leaving Scotland in state of disarray at 12 for four. SCORECARD: New Zealand vs Scotland ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
Machan-Berrington fightback: Matt Machan and Richie Berrington joined hands to forge a resolute 97-run partnership. Both batsmen were edgy and nervous initially but as the shine of the new ball wore off, they grew in confidence. Both batsmen scored inspiring half-centuries and played some amazing shots in their knocks. New Zealand beat Scotland by 3 wickets
Corey Anderson’s course-changing wickets: New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum started running out of ideas about how to get a breakthrough as he had tried all his best bowlers against Machan and Berrington but had no success. He then threw the ball to all-rounder Corey Anderson, whodelivered immediately taking the wickets, providing the breakthrough not once, but twice sending both set batsmen back to the hut. He lured them with well-directed short balls and both Machan and Berrington took the bait and paid the price. New Zealand got right back on top again. Once the tail was exposed, Scotland’s fight was over as they were skittled out for 142.
New Zealand batsmen in a rush: After bowling Scotland out for just 142, the New Zealand batsmen went after the Scottish bowlers right from the onset, possibly to boost their net run rate. But none of their batsmen really got into the groove. Kane Williamson played quite well to score 38 but even he got out when he tried to hit out. Brendon McCullum lauds bowlers after win
Scottish bowlers capitalise on conditions and batsmen’s hurriedness: Scotland’s bowlers bowled very well and were not unnerved despite the paltry total they were defending. Even though New Zealand batsmen constantly tried to hit them out of the park they maintained their line and length for most part. Ian Wardlaw in particular got good deal of movement and took the wickets of Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill and Grant Elliott. Josh Davey, to his credit, got the wickets of Kane Williamson, Luke Ronchi and Corey Anderson, giving New Zealand a real scare towards the end. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: POINTS TABLE
New Zealand get home by three wickets: New Zealand’s tail-enders shook off the scare and finally got home with three wickets to spare, Daniel Vettori was the man who knocked of the final runs with a boundary off an edge.
(Rishad D’Souza, a reporter with CricketCountry, gave up hopes of playing Test cricket after a poor gully-cricket career. He now reports on the sport. You can follow @RishadDsouza on Twitter)