NZ through to Super Eights
PROVIDENCE, Guyana: New Zealand beat Zimbabwe by seven runs on the Duckworth/Lewis method in their rain-affected World Twenty20 match here on Tuesday.
Chasing n easy target of 85 runs, New Zealand were 36 for one in 8.1 overs when rain stopped play. Opener Brendon McCullum was batting on 22 with Martin Guptill (6) after Zimbabwe captain Prosper Utseya got Jesse Ryder out caught behind by Tatenda Taibu for 2.
Later, the match was awarded to New Zealand on D/L method. Thus the Black Caps became the first team to reach the Super Eights winning their both matches while Zimbabwe, beaten in their all two matches (both on D/L method) are out of the tournament.
Earlier, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 84 in 15.1 overs against New Zealand in their Group B match in the World Twenty20 here at the Providence Stadium on Tuesday.
After New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori won the toss and put Zimbabwe into bat, Zimbabwean openers Tatenda Taibu (21) and Hamilton Masakadza (20) provided a good start but as soon both were out others could not resist the attack from the Kiwi bowlers.
The only other batsman getting into double figure was Greg Lamb, who remained not out on 14 while the number of extras were 11.
Scott Styris and Nathan McCullum captured three wickets for five and 16, respectively while Vettori claimed two for 10.
The Black Caps retained the same side that beat Sri Lanka by two wickets in the tournament''s opening match on Friday.
Zimbabwe made two changes to the team that suffered a 14-run loss on the Duckworth-Lewis method in a rain-affected match against Sri Lanka here Monday.
Andy Blignaut replaced Brendan Taylor at the top of the order and leg-spinner Timycen Maruma came in for seamer Christopher Mpofu.