Craig Ervine’s maiden ODI hundred, 130 off 108 balls, brought a 50th over victory for Zimbabwe in the 1st ODI against New Zealand, by a margin of 7 wickets and 5 balls remaining.
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Ross Taylor hit 112 not out as the tourists reached an imposing 303-4.
His first 30 deliveries only went for 20 runs, but Mpofu suffered at the hands of Ross Taylor in the closing stages of New Zealand’s innings.
Left-hander Ervine’s match-winning innings against New Zealand was his first ODI century.
In reply, Zimbabwe got off to a sound start with Hamilton Masakadza (84) and Chamu Chibhabha (42) putting on 74 for the first wicket, before the latter was bowled by Nathan McCullum in the 15th over. Yet seventh ranked Bangladesh has wood on the Kiwis, having won the last seven against New Zealand on home soil.
So an early banana skin for New Zealand as their undermanned squad begin their African trip. It was the 10th century partnership between the duo, a record for a New Zealand pair in ODIs.
Offspinner Nathan McCullum was the most expensive in runs per over terms, costing 62 off his nine, but picked up two of the wickets; while Matt Henry, Jimmy Neesham, on his global return from a lengthy injury layoff, and legspinner Ish Sodhi, on his ODI debut, all copped serious treatment.
Williamson was unlucky to have missed out on scoring a century as he was dismissed for 97.
On the other side of the ledger, New Zealand’s bowling is second rate without Trent Boult and Tim Southee. “Hopefully we can bounce back in the next game”.
“You’ve still got to give a lot of credit to Zimbabwe”.
Williamson now sits on top of the batting charts for 2015, with 1134 runs to his name, which is also the most by a New Zealand batsman in a calendar year.
“Ervine and Masakadza batted outstandingly and took the game away from us. It wasn’t easy up front and I thought it was a good effort”, he said.
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The second of the three ODIs is at the same venue starting on Tuesday night.
