Nagpur - A disappointed middle order batting performance followed by an dull effort with the ball charge the Black Caps any chance of an unexpected victory over defending champions Australia at the World Cup in Nagpur today.
After losing the toss and being sent in to bat, the New Zealanders, on a pitch that has proven itself in the past to be a batsman's paradise, made it look anything but that as they stuttered to 206 all out on an overcast Indian morning.
Early in the innings, wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum exhibited glimpses of his skill with several vicious boundaries off loose deliveries from Aussie quick Shaun Tait; but he couldn’t last long. After Brendon McCullum, it was all black for Balck as they keep on losing wickets with regular intervals.
Nathan McCullum (52) and skipper Daniel Vettori (44) tried to rescue the Black Caps ship which was almost sunk when they lost six wickets on just 73 on the board.
When Australian came into bat they had nothing to worry for paltry target to chase. In first 15 overs, openers Shane Watson and Brad Haddin had taken their side through to 108 and the New Zealand bowlers could do little but watch on as boundary after boundary was struck.
In one over, Canterbury quick Hamish Bennett, who had been smashed all around the park, finally had something to smile about when he dismissed Haddin first for 55 before Watson chopped the ball on to his stumps for 62.
McCullum then beautifully stumped Aussie captain Ponting for 12 while standing up to Tim Southee.
It was a wonderful piece of keeping but also a case of too little too late for the New Zealanders who had no answers as Michael Clarke and Cameron White set about easily completing the run chase.
The Black Caps will now fly to Ahmedabad where they play Zimbabwe on Friday. Of concern for the selectors ahead of that match will be the fact both Scott Styris and Daniel Vettori spent time on the sideline during the second innings.
After this loss New Zealand has moved down to number four position in Group 'A', while defending champion is leading the table followed by Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
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