Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor fought virtually a lone battle against New Zealand’s bowlers in the first of two Twenty20 internationals at Harare Sports Club on Saturday. Taylor made 50 not out off 46 balls as Zimbabwe limped to 123 for eight in their 20 overs after being sent in. Zimbabwe were hit by the late withdrawals of two key players, experienced wicketkeeper-batsman Tatenda Taibu because of injury and batsman Vusi Sibanda, whose mother died early on Saturday. Tall seam bowler Kyle Mills struck two early blows for New Zealand, dismissing both opening batsmen inside the first five overs.
SCOREBOARD:
ZIMBABWE
H. Masakadza c N. McCullum b Mills 9
C. Chibhabha c B. McCullum b Mills 9
B. Taylor not out 50
F. Mutizwa lbw b Woodcock 16
M. Waller c Woodcock b N. McCullum 10
C. Coventry c Taylor b N. McCullum 10
E. Chigumbura c Taylor b Bracewell 14
R. Chakabva c B. McCullum b Oram 0
P. Utseya run out (Oram) 1
EXTRAS (lb1, nb3) 4
TOTAL (8 wkts, 20 overs) 123
FALL OF WICKETS: 1-10 (Masakadza), 2-22 (Chibhabha), 3-50 (Mutizwa), 4-71 (Waller), 5-96 (Coventry), 6-119 (Chigumbura), 7-119 (Chakabva), 8-123 (Utseya)
Bowling: Mills 4-0-15-2, Bracewell 4-0-26-1 (nb1), Oram 4-0-25-1 (w1), Woodcock 4-0-30-1, N. McCullum 3-0-17-2, Franklin 1-0-10-0 (nb2)
TOSS: New Zealand, UMPIRES: Jeremiah Matibiri, Russell Tiffin (both ZIM), TV UMPIRE: Owen Chirombe (ZIM),
MATCH REFEREE: Chris Broad (ENG)