The Black Caps batsman Ross Taylor made history in Harare overnight, yet it wasn’t enough to seal a special occasion for New Zealand as Zimbabwe claimed a last-over victory in the first one-day cricket worldwide.
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Taylor felt New Zealand’s 300 total was a touch better than par on a slowish wicket “but we weren’t able to pick up wickets”.
Zimbabwe’s batsman Craig Ervine celebrates after scoring a century during the first ODI against New Zealand at Harare Sports Club.
The 11th ranked Zimbabweans, who are just above last placed Afghanistan, have won nine of 36 one day matches against New Zealand.
Zimbabwe opener Hamilton Masakadza started the chase strongly, making 84.
“I thought if we could go at eight or 10 an over and try to take it as deep as we can, we would always have a chance to go over the line”.
Left-hander Ervine’s match-winning innings against New Zealand was his first ODI century. “They outplayed us in all areas though, so full credit to them”.
“It was about taking it ball by ball and not thinking too much about the end result”.
Taylor’s 1041 runs this year is the second-most by any player in the world this year, behind team-mate Kane Williamson’s 1134.
Taylor is second on the list for 2015 with 1,041 runs, having helped himself to 59 runs in the final 10 overs as New Zealand moved from 188 for three to their final score to set Zimbabwe a tall target.
Williamson – deputising as Black Caps skipper for the rested Brendon McCullum on this tour as well as the trip to South Africa later this month – had an early scare, almost inside-edging onto his timbers, but looked in cracking form as he blasted 11 fours and a six from his 102 deliveries. Masakadza was eventually caught behind for 84 off the bowling of McCullum, who also dismissed Elton Chigumbura for 26, but Ervine held his nerve to see Zimbabwe home with time to spare.
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The second ODI will be held on the same venue on Tuesday.
