Zimbabwe vs New Zealand, one-off T20I at Harare: George Worker’s 62 and other Highlights

New Zealand, who posted a challenging total of 198, and followed it up with a clinical bowling performance.

Following a comfortable 2-1 series win in the One-Day International (ODI) series, New Zealand comfortably steered to yet another win over the minnows, Zimbabwe in the one-off T20I at the Harare Sports Club in Harare on Sunday, as they thrashed the hosts by a massive 80 runs. New Zealand, who posted a challenging total of 198, and followed it up with a clinical bowling performance, which proved out to betoo big for Zimbabwe, as they finished on 118 for the loss of eight wickets. Ayush Gupta takes a look at the highlights from the game.

Martin Guptill’s healthy knock of 33: In a more or less dull day on the field, New Zealand’s opening star, Martin Guptill continued his good form from the ODI series and played a healthy innings of 33 of 24 deliveries. Although most of the Kiwi batsmen were unable to go beyond 30, he held his nerves to be the second highest run-scorer for the team in the game.

George Worker’s impressive debut:: The game saw the only debutant in the form of left-handed George Worker for New Zealand. With a fair record in the domestic circuit, he was promoted to the team in the shortest version of the game, and clicked brilliantly as his knock 38-ball 62, which included three boundaries and four big sixes, along with a strike-rate of 163.15, set up an excellent total for New Zealand.

Guptill-Worker partnership: New Zealand scored a huge total and it surely surely needed some teamwork, which came from the pair of Guptill and Worker, who put up an impressive 49-run stand for the second wicket, with Guptill contributing 27, while Worker contributed 18 in the stand, that really helped New Zealand build a strong initial base in their innings. Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson continue prolific ODI partnership with fourth successive century stand

Worker-Luke Ronchi’s 49-run stand: It was yet another brilliant teamwork for the Kiwi batsmen, and followed it up with a another good partnership, wicketkeeper-batsman, Luke Ronchi giving Worker company, with the duo putting up 49 for the fourth wicket, which helped gave New Zealand an ideal platform.

Nathan McCullum-Colin Munroe’s 41-run stand: The third partnership was also an important one as the batsmen Nathan McCullum and Colin Munroe ensured a 41-run stand for the sixth wicket, that helped New Zealand see off their innings in a commanding fashion. McCullum contributed 18, while Munroe contributed 23 in the stand. Zimbabwe’s richly-deserved win in 1st ODI against New Zealand at Harare

Sean Williams’ three-wicket haul: In an otherwise dull day for Zimbabwe, all-rounder, Sean Williams shined with the ball as he claimed three crucial wickets in the form of Guptill, Worker and Ronchi—the three top scorers for New Zealand. It was his wickets that saved Zimbabwe form further humiliation and prevented the visitors from grtting a score in excess of 200.

Craig Ervine’s innings: Craig Ervine was the sole batsman for the hosts, wholooked to in good nick and his innings of 42 from 46 deliveries helped Zimbabwe go past 100.However, he was unable to get support from the other end and a challenging total cost him and his team the match.

Williams-Ervine’s 30-run stand: With not much of happening in the Zimbabwe innings and with the batsmen struggling, Williams and Ervine made sure that they take control of the innings as they put up a 30-run stand. However, with the target being a hefty one, they perished quickly, in pursuit of some quick runs.

Adam Milne-Mitchell McClenaghan’s two-wicket haul: With New Zealand almost in control of the match even before the Zimbabwe innings began, all they had to make sure they fire with the ball as they did with the bat. It was the fast bowlers in the form of Adam Milne and Mitchell McClenaghan, who claimed a couple of important wickets each for 10 and 33, respectively that made sure New Zealand sail comfortably home without any glitch.

(Ayush Gupta is a reporter at CricketCountry. A passionate supporter of Manchester United, he idolises Roger Federer and is also a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) maniac. He can be followed on Twitter @Ayush24x7)

About the Author