Published: Feb 16, 2015, 01:26 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 17, 2015, 03:34 AM (IST)
Dunedin: The Preston Mommsen-led Scotland have fared amazingly well in their warm-up games and came within three runs of chasing down West Indies’ total of 313 after convincingly beating their Irish neighbours by 179 runs even though Ireland entered the match as comfortable favourites. However their task at hand come the Dunedin game will pose a much greater challenge as they face the home side New Zealand. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: POINTS TABLE
New Zealand have been touted by fans and critics alike as strong contenders to lift the cup and it is the first time they have entered a World Cup event without wearing the tag of ‘dark horses’. After their emphatic win over Sri Lanka on the opening day at Christchurch, there is good reason to believe that they’ll find it relatively easy against minnows, Scotland.
In their opener, New Zealand won comprehensive against Sri Lanka, beating them by a margin of 98 runs. Captain Brendon McCullum led with example smashing a 49-ball 65, setting the tone for New Zealand’s innings upfront. Kane Williamson played sedately continuing in his rich vein of form to score 57 runs of 65 deliveries. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: SCHEDULE & MATCH DETAILS
Corey Anderson gave the New Zealand innings impetus lower down the order smashing a 46-ball 75 taking New Zealand to 331. New Zealand’s pace battery fired as a team as usual with Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Adam Milne and Corey Anderson picking two wickets each while veteran spinner Daniel Vettori also picked two wickets. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: POINTS TABLE
For Scotland opener Kyle Coetzer was amongst the rains in the warm-up match against West Indies scoring a calculated 96 of 106 balls. Freddie Coleman got a start scoring 34 before getting run-out. Richie Berrington smashed 66 of 44 balls, but also got run-out at a key moment in the game. Mathew Cross also contributed with handy runs lower down the order, scoring 39. READ: New Zealand are genuine contenders at ICC World Cup 2015: Michael Vaughan
Scotland have a bowling attack that is capable of upsetting the big boys. Ian Wardlaw, Alasdair Evans and Josh Davey have immense talent and cannot be taken lightly. It will be an interesting encounter between one of the tournament’s most formidable sides and a side bursting with enthusiasm. READ: Corey Anderson praises Brendon McCullum and Daniel Vettori for victory over Sri Lanka
Squads:
New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (c), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Adam Milne, Luke Ronchi (wk), Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Daniel Vettori, Kane Williamson.
Scotland: Preston Mommsen (c), Kyle Coetzer, Richie Berrington, Frederick Coleman, Matthew Cross (wk), Josh Davey, Alasdair Evans, Hamish Gardiner, Majid Haq, Michael Leask, Matt Machan, Calum MacLeod, Safyaan Sharif, Robert Taylor, Iain Wardlaw.
(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)
