NZ square series with big win

In the end, the two low-ranking Test nations proved even after five matches. Both Tests ended in draws, and each side won a limited overs match while tying the third. Zimbabwe is due to make a return tour of New Zealand in February.

New Zealand began in sparkling style today, with Nathan Astle, Chris Cairns and Stephen Fleming scoring rapidly. But it was Craig McMillan who really got into the Zimbabwe bowling, hitting five sixes of the ten scored by the tourists en route to his 66.

Zimbabwe also began briskly, with the Flower brothers, Andy and Grant, moving along at the required rate of almost a run for every ball. But disaster struck as Andy Flower, captain Alistair Campbell, player-coach Dave Houghton and John Rennie were all run out.

SCOREBOARD

New Zealand: Nathan Astle c and b John Rennie 33, Chris Cairns c Guy Whittall b Andrew Whittall 71, Stephen Fleming c Andrew Whittall b Craig Evans 62, Matthew Horne c and b Grant Flower 13, Craig McMillan c Andrew Whittal b Bryan Strang 66, Chris Harris not out 18, Craig Spearman c Alistair Campbell b Bryan Strang 0, Adam Parore b Bryan Strang 14, Daniel Vettori not out 7; Extras: 10

Total (in 50 overs, for seven wickets): 294Fall of wickets: 1/58, 2/147, 3/164, 4/214, 5/263, 6/264, 7/287

Bowling: John Rennie 10-0-54-1, Bryan Strang 10-0-66-3, Paul Strang 10-0-58-0, Craig Evans 6-0-40-1, Andrew Whittall 9-0-48-1, Grant Flower 5-0-24-1.

Zimbabwe: G Flower c Astle b Cairns 24, A Flower run out 44, G Whittall b Astle 49, A Campbell run out 2, P Strang c Spearman b Vettori 27, D Houghton run out 1, C Evans c Larsen b Vettori 5, G Rennie c Vettori b Larsen 17, J Rennie run out 6, B Strang c and b Vettori 15, A Whittall not out 14; Extras (lb5, w2): 7

Total (all out in 44.1 overs): 211

Fall of wickets: 1-63 2-92 3-116 4-125 5-126 6-140 7-177 8-176 9-188

Bowling: O’Connor 3-0-22-0, Larsen 7-0-42-1, Cairns 7-1-26-1, Harris 10-0-41-0, Astle 6-0-22-1 (1w), Vettori 7.1-0-41-3 (1w), McMillan 4-0-12-0.

Result: New Zealand won by 83 runs.