Craig Ervine struck a powerful maiden century to lead Zimbabwe to a seven-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first one-day global at the Harare Sports Club yesterday.
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The record-breaking deeds of centurion Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson weren’t enough to prevent New Zealand crashing to a seven-wicket loss to Zimbabwe in the first one-day worldwide in Harare.
The pair notched their 10th century stand and they have now scored 2193 runs in 38 innings at an average of 60.91 together.
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But Hamilton Masakadza and Chamu Chibhabha, who contributed 84 and 42 respectively, got the home side off to a solid start and laid the platform for Ervine to attack the New Zealand bowlers.
Zimbabwe will be hoping to claim the series – their first against New Zealand since their golden generation beat the Kiwis way back in January 2001.
James Neesham’s seam-up looked ineffective in the first ODI, and while his batting is his primary skill, New Zealand might be tempted to go with an extra spin option and choose George Worker ahead of him.
World No. 3 New Zealand were without new ball spearheads Trent Boult and Tim Southee and they struggled to make an impact on the flat surface.
Williamson felt credit needed to be given to Zimbabwe who have a habit of biting the Black Caps.
Panyangara broke that partnership when Williamson, on 97, succeeded to guide one on to his stumps to fall agonisingly short of his century.
But for Zimbabwe to clinch a series victory – a feat that has eluded them since they defeated Bangladesh 2-1 in a three-game series in 2013 – they would once again rely on their batsmen to do the trick. Today he rattled up 5 sixes and 11 fours to carry his nation residence.
The 24-year-old was dismissed for the fifth time in the nineties in ODI cricket when he chopped on aiming to dab Panyangara (2-50) down to third man in the 37th over, but Taylor and Grant Elliott (43 from 32) then thumped 79 runs from the next 57 balls.
Taylor Ross has admitted that the home team holds advantage prior to the second ODI. “But we will analyse it and come back better in a couple of days’ time”.
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Zimbabwe will seek a better performance with the ball.
