29 Jul 2015

Black Caps win again

7:52 am on 29 July 2015

The Black Caps have comfortably won the second warm-up game of their Southern Africa tour, beating the North West Cricket Club by 114 runs in Potchefstroom.

The Black Caps all-rounder Grant Elliott.

The Black Caps all-rounder Grant Elliott. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

New Zealand, who are preparing for their first one day international against Zimbabwe on Sunday in Harare, were bowled out for 267 in the final over of their 35-over innings, after opener Tom Latham and all-rounders Grant Elliot and Luke Ronchi dominated the local attack with fierce hitting.

Latham scored 51 runs from 56 balls, Elliot 54 from just 33 and Ronchi 32 from 19.

All three players, and Jimmy Neesham (8 from 11 balls), were retired by coach Mike Hesson, who once again rotated his batsmen's time at the crease in the 35-over contest.

The hosts in reply, with Black Caps Colin Munro and Matt Henry in their XI, got off to a disastrous start losing two wickets for just a single run after two overs.

They continued to play their shots on their way to defeat, and the hosts were eventually all out for 153.

All-rounder Munro (50 from 40 balls) enjoyed taking on his team-mates and was the top scorer for North West.

New Zealand leg spinner Ish Sodhi was the best of the Black Caps' bowling effort with three for 27 from six overs.

The hot and dry conditions were good preparation for the surfaces expected in Zimbabwe.

Left-arm quick Ben Wheeler claimed the final two wickets to finish with three for 23 runs from 6.3 overs.

Latham, who scored an unbeaten 60 from 39 balls in yesterday's T20 match, took his opportunity again with a patient and purposeful innings that included six fours and a six.

The Cantabrian came up against a familiar face in Henry who opened the bowling for North West Cricket and produced a lively spell.

Henry finished with 1-32 from his 6.3 overs.

Skipper Kane Williamson (23 from 18 balls) joined him at the crease and went after Munro with some aerial drives.

He took him on one too many times and was caught behind in the 16th over.

Munro finished with 1-36 from four overs.

That opened the way for Elliott to come to the crease and the South African-born all-rounder produced arguably the innings of the day.

The "Hairy Javelin", a cult hero from the World Cup semi-final at Eden Park, was back to his shot-making best as he hit four fours and three sixes.

He was joined at the crease by Luke Ronchi who also showed no respect for the North West attack.

Ronchi, who has been playing at Somerset in the break since the England Tour, clubbed three sixes and a four in a trademark innings of power hitting.

Adam Milne once again showed his ability with the bat at the tail of order when he hit an unbeaten 32 from only 15 balls.

His free scoring time in the middle helped the Black Caps cruise to a big total.

The visitors welcomed Mitchell McClenaghan into camp today and Ross Taylor, Martin Guptill and Nathan McCullum will join the squad in Zimbabwe after playing in the Caribbean Premier League.

The Black Caps will now travel to Zimbabwe before the three-match one day international series in Harare which begins in five days' time.

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