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Paul Munyuki Harare Bureau
CRAIG ERVINE was the standout performer as his superb century powered Zimbabwe to a memorable victory over 2015 World Cup finalists, New Zealand, in a high-scoring One Day International at Harare Sports Club yesterday that delivered more than 600 runs.

Zimbabwe now lead the three-match ODI series 1-0 and, crucially, the Chevrons have won back-to-back matches, against Test playing nations, for the first time in an age after the Zimbabweans beat India in their last contest at the same venue.

Ervine’s unbeaten 130 off 108 deliveries was the platform on which Zimbabwe built their successful chase, en-route to a seven-wicket victory, that was celebrated throughout the cricket world yesterday.

The left-hander hit five sixes and 11 fours and his performance was just what Zimbabwe needed for their strong reply in which Hamilton Masakadza, Chamu Chibhabha and Elton Chigumbura all played their part.

Winning the toss and electing to field first, Zimbabwe saw the Black Caps score 303/4 in their allotted 50 overs, and the Chevrons then chased that target and powered to victory in the final over of a thriller before a good Sunday crowd at Harare Sports Club.

Needing 16 runs off the last two overs, Ervine conceded that there was pressure but, unlike in other previous games, Zimbabwe had the luxury of wickets and, eventually, they got over the line to the delight of their fans. Ervine’s six, off the last ball of the penultimate over delivered by James Neesham, effectively settled this contest and that a wide gave Zimbabwe the win was probably a disappointing end to a game which delivered runs for the fans.

The opening duo of Masakadza (84 off 99 with 10 fours) and Chibhabha’s 42 off 48, with five fours, set a good foundation for the chase innings before the second wicket partnership of Masakadza and Ervine solidified matters.

The second wicket partnership of Masakadza and Ervine yielded 120 runs while the third wicket partnership between Ervine and Chigumbura bought 66 runs as Zimbabwe’s top order stood tall and did the damage.

Chigumbura feels the fact that they have won against New Zealand shows the potential in their side.

“It’s been a hard road for us, and it shows we’re capable of winning games. It was a good wicket and our opening partnership showed the way,” said Chigumbura.

In the morning, New Zealand seemed like they were on course for a win, piling more than 300 runs despite having lost two early wickets, openers Martin Guptill, (11), and Tom Latham cheaply.

Ross Taylor ensured that the Black Caps flexed their muscle as the in-form batsman battled his way to a deserved century with an unbeaten 112 that came off 122 deliveries with six fours and three sixes.

Pacer Tinashe Panyangara who was also responsible for Guptill’s scalp, also removed Kane Williamson for 97.

“It feels very good, especially to be there at the end,” said Ervine. “The pitch tended to misbehave a bit against India, but it was good today. As for me, playing at number three, gave me a chance to build the innings. I took it ball-by-ball. When I was at 96 or 97 I was just waiting forthe right time and fortunately a bad ball came and that’s when I felt relieved. That I scored a century really hasn’t hit me, it hasn’t sunk in maybe tomorrow (today) I’ll be able to celebrate it. The wicket was good for batting and our target as a team was to get half the runs New Zealand had scored after 25 overs and we were better than that by that time.”

But Zimbabwe’s weaknesses in the final 10 overs were exposed once again as the hosts leaked 115 runs.

“I’m sure Dougy (bowling coach Douglas Hondo) has a plan in place,” said Ervine.

Scorecard

Toss Zimbabwe

New Zealand Innings

Guptill ………..c Masakadza b Panyangara………………11

Latham ………b Chibhabha…………………………………..14

Williamson*…b Panyangara………………………………….97

Taylor………………not out……………………………………112

Elliott ………..run out (Williams/†Chakabva)…………….43

Neesham……not out…………………………………………..14

Extras………..(lb 4, w 7, nb 1)……………………………….12

Total…………(4 wickets; 50 overs)………………………..303

Did not bat: Ronchi†, McCullum, Henry, McClenaghan, Sodhi. F-o-W: 1-20 (Guptill, 3.5 ov), 2-39 (Latham, 8.5 ov), 3-176 (Williamson, 36.3 ov), 4-255 (Elliott, 45.6 ov)

Bowling: Mpofu 10-0-84-0 (4w); Panyangara 10-0-50-2 (1nb, 1w); Chibhabha 7-2-32-1 (1w); Utseya 7-0-43-0 (1w); Cremer 10-0-48-0; Williams 4-0-27-0; Sikandar Raza 2-0-15-0

Zimbabwe innings (target: 304 runs from 50 overs)

Masakadza…. c †Ronchi b McCullum……………………84

Chibhabha …. b McCullum …………………………………42

Ervine………….not out ………………………………………130

Chigumbura*..c Guptill b McCullum………………………26

Williams……… not out …………………………………………7

Extras …………(lb 1, w 13, nb 1)…………………………..15

Total……………(3 wickets; 49 overs)…………………….304

Did not bat: Chakabva†, Sikandar Raza, Cremer, Utseya, Panyangara, Mpofu. F-o-W: 1-74 (Chibhabha, 14.5 ov), 2-194 (Masakadza, 34.6 ov), 3-260 (Chigumbura, 44.6 ov)

Bowling: Henry 9-0-58-0 (3w); McClenaghan 9-0-47-0 (1nb, 3w); Neesham 7-0-44-0 (2w); McCullum 9-0-62-3 (1w); Sodhi 10-1-65-0; Elliott 3-0-17-0; Williamson 2-0-10-0