[1] New Zealand players celebrate the dismissal of Zimbabwe's batsman Hamilton Masakadza. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo Martin Guptill scored his second one-day international hundred to guide the Black Caps to a four-wicket win over Zimbabwe in their second 50-over encounter in Harare today.
The 25-year-old scored a memorable 122 not out on debut against the West Indies in 2009, but had to wait until his 54th one-day international to register his next ton.
New Zealand were set 260 to win after Zimbabwe mustered 259-8 from their 50 overs at the Harare Sports Club after the Black Caps won the toss and invited the hosts to bat first.
The Kiwi seamers forced the home side to make a cautious start and they looked shaky when they only had 83 on the board for the loss of four wickets after 24.2 overs, but Zimbabwean captain Brendan Taylor delivered another impressive knock.
The 25-year-old blasted his sixth one-day international century and became the first Zimbabwe player to score back-to-back one-day hundreds after he stroked an unbeaten 128 in the first game.
Taylor found support from Malcolm Waller, who made 42, and their partnership of 83 ensured their bowling attack would have something to defend.
Kiwi off-spinner Rob Nicol bore the brunt of Zimbabwe's rearguard action as his two overs disappeared for 23, while debutant Graeme Aldridge picked up one wicket for 45 runs from his 10 overs in a workman-like display.
Left-armer Andy McKay claimed four wickets, including the scalp of Waller, while all-rounder Jacob Oram chipped in with three wickets.
In pursuit of their target, Nicol opened the innings again with Guptill, due to the absence of Jesse Ryder who sat out the game.
Nicol scored a hundred on debut in the opening one-dayer but he failed to make double figures this time around as he was caught behind for nine.
The loss of the Cantabrian brought Brendon McCullum to the crease and he and Guptill put on 157 for the second wicket to set the tone for the victory.
McCullum departed in the 38th over for a brisk 87 and a string of batsman came and went as nobody else managed to top 19.
Guptill was dismissed with 38 still required from 7.5 overs, but Oram and young gun Kane Williamson were there at the end to ensure the visitors got home with 10 balls to spare and wrapped up the one-day series with one game to play.
Guptill said Zimbabwe weren't as bad as many people believed they were and were a side who could take you by surprise.
"I think they are. But we shot ourselves in the foot there losing two or three quick wickets right at the end,'' Guptill told APNZ from Zimbabwe.
Taylor's ability with the bat had certainly grabbed the attention of the New Zealanders, Guptill said.
"He has played very well for them over the last couple of games.
"He's come in at quite a difficult time and has had to steady the innings and has done it quite well.''
Game three is in Bulawayo on Monday.
Scoreboard
Zimbabwe
Vusi Sibanda c Oram b Aldridge 19
Hamilton Masakadza c Williamson b McKay 20
Brendan Taylor not out 107
Tatenda Taibu b McKay 2
Forster Mutizwa c Franklin b Oram 6
Malcolm Waller b McKay 42
Elton Chigumbura b McKay 14
Keegan Meth c Nicol b Oram 20
Prosper Utseya c McCullum b Oram 7
Ray Price not out 5
Extras: (3lb, 13w, 1nb) 17
TOTAL: (for 8 wickets) 259
Did not bat: Chris Mpofu.
Fall of wickets: 1-41, 2-47, 3-53, 4-83, 5-169, 6-209, 7-238, 8-245
Bowling: Doug Bracewell 10-1-48-0 (1w), Graeme Aldridge 10-1-45-1 (3w), Andy McKay 10-0-53-4 (2w), Jacob Oram 10-0-48-3 (3w), James Franklin 7-0-32-0 (1nb), Rob Nicol 2-0-23-0 (1w), Kane Williamson 1-0-7-0 (1w).
New Zealand
Rob Nicol c Mutizwa b Meth 9
Martin Guptill b Waller 105
Brendon McCullum c Sibanda b Meth 87
Ross Taylor c Mutizwa b Utseya 11
Kane Williamson not out 14
BJ Watling run out 19
James Franklin c Mutizwa b Mpofu 1
Jacob Oram not out 4
Extras: (3lb, 8w) 11
TOTAL: (for 6 wickets) 261
Overs: 48.2.
Did not bat: Doug Bracewell, Andy McKay, Graeme Aldridge.
Fall of wicket: 1-49, 2-206, 3-222, 4-222, 5-253, 6-257
Bowling: Chris Mpofu 7.2-0-49-1, Keegan Meth 10-1-52-2 (2w), Ray Price 10-0-42-0, Prosper Utseya 10-0-53-1 (1w), Elton Chigumbura 7-0-40-0, Hamilton Masakadza 1-0-5-0 (1w), Malcolm Waller 3-0-17-1.
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