Ahmedabad, March 04: Zimbabwe’s top-order batsmen crumbled against the New Zealand attack before the tail wagged defiantly as the African nation managed a meagre 162 in 46.2 overs in their must-win Group A World Cup match at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera, today.
Barring experienced opener Brendan Taylor, who top scored with 44 (57 balls, 4×4) and rearguard action from Prosper Utseya (36) and Graeme Cremer (22), the top-order batsmen put up an insipid show to leave Zimbabwe tottering at 89 for 7 after 27 overs on a strip that was good for batting.
Apart from Taylor, who was the sixth batsman to be dismissed, only Craig Irvine (11) got into double figures among the top six against a determined and efficient New Zealand. The Black Caps’ bowling was backed up by some splendid fielding.
——-PTI–