Ross Taylor made the most of a chance to get in some batting practice at McLean Park yesterday, when the Black Caps continued their momentum in the Cricket World Cup by easily beating Afghanistan. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Ross Taylor made the most of a chance to get in some batting practice at McLean Park yesterday, when the Black Caps continued their momentum in the Cricket World Cup by easily beating Afghanistan. Photo / Mark Mitchell
New Zealand were looking forward to batting first but adapted to change of plan.
New Zealand accomplished some of the goals they had set for their match against Afghanistan, although perhaps not in the order they would have wanted.
Then again, according to senior player Dan Vettori, forget talk of specific objectives to be taken from games; all New Zealand are focused on is winning: "You guys are the ones who want boxes ticked," he said last night.
With three of their top five batsmen in need of time at the crease, New Zealand made it clear they wanted to bat first, not to mention that the McLean Park highway is by some distance the country's best for batting. The rule of thumb is get in, get runs, then defend them.
Instead, Afghanistan chose to bat first, and did well to get to 186 after a wobbly start. New Zealand completed the win by six wickets with 13.5 overs to spare.
Afghanistan's decision at the toss made good cricket sense. However, part of the thinking might also have had its roots in a desire to avoid risking their bowlers getting another pummelling, after Australia had flogged them for 417 in Perth during the week.
And so before the New Zealand batsmen could get their pads on, the bowlers had their longest workout of the World Cup. It took 47.4 overs to dismiss Afghanistan and that meant a solid block of overs for the attack.
Dan Vettori claimed his 300th ODI wicket yesterday. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Vettori took his 300th ODI wicket - the first New Zealand bowler to the milestone - in the course of four for 18 off 10 overs. The batsmen initially couldn't work him out, then settled for care over carefree.
Trent Boult picked up three, and Adam Milne, in real need of time at the crease, got through 10 overs.
Afghanistan's only stand of note was 86 for the seventh wicket between half century makers Samiullah Shenwari - who survived a blow on the back of his helmet from Corey Anderson, which left a distinct dent -and Najibullah Zadran. They batted, respectively, with caution and composure, and exuberance and free hitting.
Twice spirited lefthander Najibullah put Tim Southee into the crowd en route to a run-a-ball 56, and received a standing ovation upon his dismissal; rare but deserved.
After Brendon McCullum's standard hectic start, 42 off 19 balls, the rest of the innings proceeded at a far more measured pace than of late.
Martin Guptill's 57 included some handsome shots down the ground and through the offside before he was run out in a mixup with Ross Taylor. He's insisted he's never been out of form, but yesterday can't have hurt.
Taylor was scratchy, badly beaten first ball, but was there at the end on 24 after 77 minutes. Elliott got to 19 comfortably enough before running himself out.
Dangerous Dan tucks ODI milestone
Now is not the time to ponder personal milestones, according to Dan Vettori, who put a notable one in his back pocket yesterday.
The New Zealand spinner took his 300th ODI wicket against Afghanistan yesterday, Nawroz Mangal, the second of his bag of four for 18 from 10 tidy overs, the first New Zealander to the mark.
"I went into the World Cup not really thinking about that milestone. I honestly didn't think I'd take this many wickets in this few games (12 in five matches, third highest before last night's Australia-Sri Lanka match).
"It'll be nice to look back on, but we are caught up in the middle of the World Cup. There's an important game on Friday [against Bangladesh] then the most important game in our careers the following Saturday.
"Maybe in a month or so there'll be time to look back."
Vettori gave Afghanistan high praise for their talent and promise.
"I think this is the beginning of a very good team," he said.
"They've got firepower all through the batting order, and bowling, in particular the three fast bowlers, that's particularly impressive.
"When you have three guys run in at 140 [km/h] that gives you the ability to win games at top tier level. I think they have the makings of an exceptional side."
And Vettori suggested forgetting about New Zealand having goals to achieve in specific areas of the game before the quarter-finals start or they could become a distraction that hampers the side.
"We're just looking at it as trying to win games regardless of the situation," he said.
