Nicol leads batting blitz as New Zealand seal series win against Zimbabwe

Nashville Herald (ANI) Monday 6th February, 2012

New Zealand cruised to a 141-run victory over Zimbabwe after amassing 372 for 6 at the Cobham Oval here in the second one-day international , and took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

Opener Rob Nicol's 146, Jacob Oram's 28-ball 59 and Martin Guptill's 77 helped New Zealand set an imposing target for Zimbabwe.

However, the early loss of three wickets in the first seven overs of their chase, scuppered Zimbabwe's hopes of a win, and they meandered to 231 for 8 in their 50 overs.

For Zimbabwe, Chigumbura scored 63 and Taibu 50. New Zealand all-rounder Oram grabbed three wickets for 29 runs.

New Zealand's effort featured 29 fours and 16 sixes, while Zimbabwe's reply consisted of just two fours until the 28th over of the chase.

Zimbabwe was also guilty of a slip in fielding standards, missing no fewer than five clear-cut chances in first five overs of the New Zealand innings.

The 141-run win margin is New Zealand's second-highest against Zimbabwe after the 192-run win in Bulawayo in 2005. (ANI)