KEY POINTS:
WORCESTER - Brendon McCullum's 2008 runfest continued with a dominant century as New Zealand fell just short of a ground record total in their 95-run one-day cricket victory over Worcestershire here today.
McCullum's 123 off 98 deliveries led New Zealand to 358 for eight off 50 overs at New Road but the bowlers still had to work hard against the aggressive home batsmen.
Led by captain Vikram Solanki's 80, the hosts weren't dismissed until the 48th over for 263 after Scott Styris ripped through the middle order in an eight-over spell of three for 25.
Against an attack containing former England bowlers Kabir Ali and Gareth Batty, but missing fellow international Simon Jones, New Zealand went within seven runs of the 50-over ground record - Worcestershire's 365 for seven against Scotland last year.
McCullum ensured his status as the key wicket for England in Saturday's (NZT) Twenty20 international in Manchester and the five-match one-day series which opens near Durham two days later.
He hit 12 fours and three sixes, including one which slammed into the second tier of the pavilion.
He finally departed in the 37th over with the total 251, caught on the square leg boundary aiming for his fourth six.
It was a confident New Zealand batting effort after their third test horrors, with No 3 Peter Fulton providing the only concern.
Playing just his second match on tour in over a month, Fulton faced eight balls for two before hitting a soft catch to gully.
Otherwise the runs flowed, with McCullum and Jamie How, who scored 48, combining for an opening stand of 101 off 15 overs.
Ross Taylor hit nine fours in his 71-ball innings of 75, adding 142 for the third wicket with McCullum, after being bowled off a no-ball when on 33.
New arrival Styris got into stride with a brisk 36 off 27 balls, a three-wicket haul and a run-out.
New Zealand's bowlers offered a mixed bag on a low, slow pitch and fast outfield.
Styris was clearly the pick while Mark Gillespie, in his first tour match, took two for 63 off 10 while spinner Jeetan Patel was a concern with his 10-over return of one for 72.
Worcestershire flew into their chase with openers Solanki and Steve Davies adding 98 off 18 overs before a mix-up saw Styris pounce at mid-on to remove Davies for 48.
Then Styris sparked a collapse of five for 29, including the prized scalp of veteran test batsman Graeme Hick, now 42, caught behind for seven.
Captain Daniel Vettori removed Solanki with a full toss and also had dangerman Kabir Ali stumped for a hard-hit 43 to end with two for 52.
Said coach John Bracewell: "I was very pleased with the way Taylor and McCullum batted and the intent they showed running between the wickets.
"We were a little bit rusty to start off with the ball, but we came back very well once we got the pace of the wicket and our lines, remembering Mark Gillespie hasn't bowled for quite some time and Michael Mason's been going stir crazy watching cricket for the last month."
Bracewell said young pace bowler Tim Southee, recovering from a sprained ankle, would miss the Twenty20 match but was still a chance of playing in Durham.
SCOREBOARD
New Zealand
J How c Solanki b Whelan 48
B McCullum c Andrew b Whelan 123
P Fulton c Batty b Whelan 2
R Taylor b Mitchell 75
S Styris b Andrew 36
D Flynn c M Ali b Whelan 13
J Oram c Solanki b Andrew 24
D Vettori c Davies b K Ali 10
J Patel not out 4
M Mason not out 1
Extras (6b, 9lb, 6w, 1nb) 22
Total (for 8 wkts, 50 overs) 358
Fall: 101 (How), 109 (Fulton), 251 (McCullum), 282 (Taylor), 307 (Flynn), 326 (Styris), 347 (Oram), 350 (Vettori).
Bowling: K Ali 10-0-75-1 (1w), S Magoffin 8-1-60-0 (1nb), C Whelan 10-0-78-4 (3w), G Andrew 10-0-53-2 (1w), G Batty 7-0-41-0 (1w), D Mitchell 5-0-36-1.
Worcestershire
V Solanki c Gillespie b Vettori 80
S Davies run out 48
M Ali lbw b Patel 0
S Moore lbw b Styris 0
G Hick c McCullum b Styris 7
D Mitchell lbw b Styris 1
G Batty c sub (Marshall) b Gillespie 34
K Ali st McCullum b Vettori 43
G Andrew c Flynn b Mason 10
S Magoffin not out 22
C Whelan b Gillespie 4
Extras (1b, 3lb, 8w, 2nb) 14
Total (48 overs) 263
Fall: 98 (Davies), 103 (M Ali), 104 (Moore), 122 (Hick), 127 (Mitchell), 177 (Batty), 203 (Solanki), 225 (Andrew), 258 (K Ali), 263 (Whelan).
Bowling: M Mason 10-0-47-1 (1nb, 1w), M Gillespie 10-0-63-2 (1nb, 2w), S Styris 8-0-25-3, J Patel 10-0-72-1 (1w), D Vettori 10-0-52-2 (3w).
Result: New Zealand won by 95 runs.
- NZPA
