Cricket: Into the stand - and into history

By RICHARD BOOCK

Heath Streak struck a huge blow for his team, and an even bigger one for Zimbabwe cricket at Eden Park yesterday.

The Zimbabwean captain brought up his side's one-wicket win over New Zealand with a steepling six over extra-cover in the second-last over, snatching Zimbabwe a 2-1 series win and their first major tournament win overseas.

Streak smashed five sixes in his 67-ball 79, the last of which sailed into the front rows of Eden Park's South Stand.

Zimbabwe needed 274 runs, and got them with eight balls to spare.

"We're absolutely ecstatic," Streak said after the side had finished their lap of honour.

"It's something we've dreamed of for a while and it's taken a long time, but now we've done it - I'm so proud.

"People will be over the moon about this in Zimbabwe."

New Zealand initially looked like scoring less than 250 when they lost early wickets, but made it through to 273, aided by a rollicking 53-ball 75 from Craig McMillan.

Zimbabwe recovered from a top-order calamity through the efforts of Andy Flower, who swept and reverse-swept his way to 81 from 86 balls, in the process providing the base from which Streak could launch his assault.

New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming said afterwards that the feeling in the home side's dressing room was predictable.

"We're pretty shattered," he said. "It's very disappointing not to defend 273, and just gut-wrenching to lose the series in a final flurry like that."