Kiwi knocks push Campbell ton into background
Reuters

WELLINGTON, JANUARY 4: New Zealand avenged their 70-run defeat by Zimbabwe in the first one-day international to square the series with an emphatic eight-wicket win on Thursday.

Alistair Campbell cracked a century in Zimbabwe's 236 for seven off 50 overs but his fine effort was in vain as a 153-run opening stand by Nathan Astle (89 not out) and Mathew Sinclair (85) set up the hosts.

Even when Sinclair was run out to a brilliant piece of fielding by Guy Whittall, Scott Styris blasted 48 off just 33 balls to keep New Zealand in command.

The Zimbabwe bowlers had no answer, but Astle should have been out to catches on two and 13 -- Stuart Carlisle and Doug Marillier were the culprits -- and Sinclair might have been stumped on 73.

Leg-spinner Brian Murphy bowled Styris off the penultimate ball of his spell. Zimbabwe lost their way in spite of opener Campbell's 111 and would have been disappointed with their final total.

Gavin Rennie hit a solid 46 not out at the end of the innings and Heath Streak did his customary artful clubbing to bring the score to respectability.

Craig McMillan was the best New Zealand bowler with two for 30 off eight overs. James Franklin took two for 46 off the full 10. Sinclair was named man of the match for his maiden one-day half-century.

The third and deciding one-day game is scheduled for Auckland on Sunday.

Zimbabwe: A.Campbell c Fleming b Styris 111; T.Madondo c Twose b Franklin 9; S.Carlisle b Harris 32' A.Flower c&b Astle 15; D.Marillier lbw McMillan 1; G.Whittall c Astle b McMillan 0; G.Rennie not out 46; H.Streak c Walker b Franklin 17; Extras (lb-4 w-1) 5; Total (for 7 wkts, 50 overs) 236.
Fall of wickets: 1-27, 2-118, 3-139, 4-142, 5-142, 6-194, 7-236.
Bowling: Franklin 10-0-46-2, Styris 10-0-45-1, Oram4-0-17-0, Harris 8-0-45-1, Walker 2-0-14-0, Astle 8-0-35-1, McMillan 8-1-30-2.
New Zealand: M.Sinclair run out 85; N.Astle not out 89; S.Styris b Murphy 48; S.Fleming not out 8; Extras (b-1 lb-4 w-1 nb-1) 7; Total (for 2 wkts, 45.2 overs) 237.
Fall of wickets: 1-153 2-209.
Bowling: Streak 8-0-34-0, Strang 9-1-48-0, Mackay 8-0-56-0, Murphy 10-0-38-1, Whittall 10-0-52-0, Marillier 0.2-0-4-0.
Result: New Zealand won by eight wickets.

Copyright © 2001 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.