Cricket: Black Caps thrash Namibia a second time

The Black Caps thrashed Namibia in the second one day cricket match against them overnight (NZ time) after a close call in the opener.

The Black Caps last night reached 326 off their 50 overs, bowling Namibia out for 178.

Brendon McCullum top scored with 84 not out ahead of Nathan Astle, who was not out on 73.

Tama Canning also posted a half century while Craig Cumming, Hamish Marshall, Scott Styris and Lou Vincent all posted scores in the 20s.

Team Manager Lyndsay Crocker said the New Zealanders appeared to have adjusted to the high altitude by the second match and the bowlers recovered well from a hammering at the hands of the African minnows the previous day.

The Black Caps amassed 330 in the earlier game, but tired bowling allowed the Namibian middle order blast their way to 301.

"That didn't happen today, it was a return to normal service really," Crocker told NZPA.

"Today we hit our length a bit better, as you would expect, and yesterday for many guys it was their first game for several months."

After being smashed for a whopping 80 runs in the first match, Daniel Vettori recovered to take three wickets for 24 off eight overs.

Shane Bond took two for 16 runs off his five overs, while Chris Martin also took two wickets for 26 off five overs.

Crocker said weather conditions had been ideal and the wicket was flat and relatively slow -- similar to what was expected in Zimbabwe.

He said the hospitality had been great and the facilities "first class" in the west African country.

The Black Caps head to Zimbabwe tomorrow (NZ time) to begin their tour there.

- NZPA