Taylor makes history for Zimbabwe

Brendan Taylor became the first Zimbabwean to record back-to-back ODI hundreds as Zimbabwe posted 259 for eight in the second one-day international against New Zealand on Saturday.

Taylor’s unbeaten century in the first match was in vain as Zimbabwe lost by nine wickets, but he received better support on this occasion and gave the hosts a decent score under the circumstances.

New Zealand had won the toss and elected to bowl on a green pitch, and with rain having fallen overnight there was plenty of assistance early on for the seamers.

With Chamu Chibhabha nursing a knee injury, Hamilton Masakadza opened the innings with Vusi Sibanda and the duo did well to ride out the opening salvos as the ball nipped around.

However both were guilty of giving their wickets away cheaply after doing the hard work, with Sibanda driving straight to mid-off and Masakadza pulling into the hands of deep square-leg.

Left armer Andy McKay, who was the pick of the bowlers for the Black Caps, was the man to pick up Masakadza, and he soon dispatched with Tatenda Taibu as he found the batsman’s footwork wanting.

Taylor had picked up from where he left off on Thursday, stroking the ball around at will, but soon lost another partner as Forster Mutizwa flicks into the hands of fine leg.

However Malcolm Waller’s arrival changed the course of the innings, as his aggressive approach took the fight to New Zealand.

Although he enjoyed some fortune in a streaky innings, he unsettled the bowlers as he added 86 in 73 balls with Taylor, who went to his half-century in 55 balls after responding to Waller’s support by upping the tempo.

The pair took 17 off Rob Nicol’s first over of the day and at one point put on 46 runs in five overs, but the partnership ended when Waller got carried away in his search for quick runs during the batting powerplay and swiped all around a straight one from McKay.

Elton Chigumbura’s lack of ability against the short ball meant that he was unable to maintain the momentum, but Keegan Meth injected new impetus after Chigumbura’s departure as he slapped the bowlers to all parts in an innings reminiscent of former all-rounder Andy Blignaut.

Meth added 20 from 17 balls before picking out deep midwicket, and although the wickets tumbled at the end of the innings Taylor was still able to go to three figures in the final over, and finish with 107 not out from 105 deliveries in front of an increasingly noisy crowd.

Tristan Holme in Harare

Article source: http://www.cricket365.com/news/story/7258192/Taylor-makes-history-for-Zimbabwe