WC 2015 NZ vs SCO: Kiwis extend winning streak, beat Scotland by 3 wickets
Dunedin: New Zealand narrowly avoided a major misstep in its first meeting with a minor nation at the Cricket World Cup, edging Scotland by three wickets in a low-scoring match on Tuesday to stay unbeaten after two games in Pool A. Trent Boult was adjudged the Man Of the Match.
Man of the Match Trent Boult. BLACKCAPS two from two #nzvsco ^CE pic.twitter.com/8YeKQ4mkeb
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 17, 2015Chasing Scotland's modest total of 142, New Zealand needed only half its allotted overs to reach the target but lost wickets at regular intervals in an undisciplined run chase.
.@BLACKCAPS win by three wickets as Daniel Vettori edges one over the slip cordon. 146-7 after 25 overs. #nzvsco ^PT
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 17, 2015Scotland lost its top four batsmen inside the first five overs after being sent in, slumping to 4-12 before Matt Machan made a pugnacious 56 and Richie Berrington 50 in a 97-run partnership.
Great fighting spirit from Scotland to the end and congratulations to @BLACKCAPS for their second @cricketworldcup group stage win.
— Cricket Scotland (@CricketScotland) February 17, 2015Trent Boult and Tim Southee both had hat trick opportunities against a Scotland batting lineup that lost four men to golden ducks. Corey Anderson took 3-18, including the wickets of Machan and Berrington, and Daniel Vettori 3-24.
.@BLACKCAPS impressed again today with the ball to restrict @CricketScotland to 142. Photo: http://t.co/R5eCip2G34 pic.twitter.com/oFxaVovSJ0
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 17, 2015New Zealand's simple run chase became a struggle, either through complacency or haste. The tournament co-host had looked comfortable at 63-2 when the late innings break was taken but it bled wickets on the resumption.
Iain Wardlaw epitomized Scotland's refusal to give up hope, dismissing Martin Guptill (17), dangerman Brendon McCullum (15) and Grant Elliott to finish with 3-57 while Josh Davey took 3-40.
OUT! A third wicket for Iain Wardlaw as Scotland get halfway through the @BLACKCAPS line-up http://t.co/gzDWDuqIJM pic.twitter.com/BPBYTDvzg1
— ICC (@ICC) February 17, 2015McCullum was dropped on five and Corey Anderson on three and had those chances been taken Scotland might have sewn seeds of greater uncertainty among the New Zealand players.
DROPPED: Brendon McCullum is put down on the mid-wicket fence by Hamish Gardiner. @BLACKCAPS 23-1 after 3.2 overs. #nzvsco ^PT
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 17, 2015Scotland had entered the tournament trying to demonstrate its ability to compete with cricket's top nations. While the Scots, now appearing at a third World Cup, have put in some creditable performances, it has now lost all nine matches it has played at this level.
