Tag T20 World Cup 2010

Like a child who's just learnt to ride bicycle, momentary lapse in concentration and naive Zimbabweans collapsed terribly from a strong position today at Providence ground in Guyana to be allout for only 74 ~ the 12th lowest total in T20 matches..

36 good runs on board when charismatic Taibu departed and 58 when Masakadza was out for run a ball 20, a total around 130-150 looked possible for Zimbabwe specially against a rusty/uninspired New Zealand bowling. Andy Blignaut, the experienced allrounder brought back from exile by selectors preciously for the day, disappointed. Daniel Vettori bowled him around his legs and that kick started a you go I follow pattern.

Nathan McCullum, man of the match in last match, claimed Elton Chigumbura, Craig Ervine and Charls Coventry in same over and then Scott Styris run past Tymcen Maruma and Graeme Cremer to reach a chance for hattrick in his next over. Jacob Oram bowled a wayward over next to allow his teammate a hattrick which Styris couldn't achieve but his efforts were enough to demolish Africans to a poor score.

Nathan Mccullum got his second man of the match award back to back.

Rain was a factor previous day at Guyana and around the same time today during the lunch break, showers started and game had to be stopped midway through New Zealand chase. Zimbabweans were not doing bad with the ball either as captain Prosper Utseya (the offspinner) and Rymond Price (left arm orthodox) bowled out their quota of 4 overs each straight through with the new ball. Jesse Ryder struggled his way to 2 off 11 balls before edging an Utseya delivery to wicket keeper Taibu.

Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill were analysing situation well with D/L chart in their pocket and decided not to play many shots but preserve wicket which generally works well with the method used to decide rain curtailed cricket matches.

Since both teams had batted at least 5 overs each, New Zealand were adjudged as winners with 7 runs by Duckworth Lewis method.

The scores

Zimbabwe 84 allout in 15.1 overs
T Taibu 21, H Masakadza 20, G Lamb 14*
N McCullum 3 for 16, S Styris 3 for 5
New Zealand 36 for 1 wkt in 8.1 overs
Full scorecard : NZ v Zim, World T20.

Head to head

This was the very first meeting for New Zealand and Zimbabwe in twenty20 internationals. New Zealand now, obviously, have taken 1-0 lead. In 28 one day internationals between two countries, Kiwis have won 19 and lost 7 with 1 tie and 1 no result while in tests ~ Zimbabwe have never beaten New Zealand, losing 7 and drawing other 6.

Super 8s

New Zealand go to group E and will clash with South Africa, Pakistan and England for a spot in the semi-finals. Zimbabwe, on other hand, will be departuring home soon.

Lowest T20 totals

Lowest T20 team total is 67 allout, made by Kenya against Ireland. In this same tournament, Ireland themselves were dimissed for just 68 against West Indies while today, Zimbabwe made the 12th lowest innings score.