Opener Lou Vincent’s 172 steered New Zealand to the second highest one-day total in history and a 192-run victory over Zimbabwe in the opening match of the triangular series on Wednesday.
New Zealand notched 397 for five as Vincent’s innings at the Queens Sports Club beat countryman Glenn Turner’s prior record as the highest one-day score from a New Zealander by one run.
New Zealand’s total fell one run short of Sri Lanka’s record 398 for five from 50 overs against Kenya at Kandy, Sri Lanka, in 1996.
But the Kiwis’ total came from 44 overs after the match was shortened by a 75-minute delay caused by dampness on the pitch.
Shane Bond and Chris Cairns took two wickets each as Zimbabwe was bowled out for 205 in 43 overs. Only Heath Streak offered any serious resistance for the home side with 45 runs.
Vincent’s first-wicket partnership of 204 with captain Stephen Fleming was the highest for any New Zealand pairing. Vincent collected nine sixes and 16 fours in his 120-ball innings, while Fleming hit four sixes and eight fours in his 87-ball score of 93.
Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu won the toss and put New Zealand in to bat in Kevin Curran’s first match since being named as the new Zimbabwe coach last week.
The next match in the six-game series is between New Zealand and India in Bulawayo on Friday. – Sapa-AP