Zimbabwe vs. New Zealand: Winners and Losers from 1st ODI
Zimbabwe recorded their first one-day victory in 10 completed matches with an impressive seven-wicket triumph over New Zealand on Sunday.
The hosts chased down a target of 304 to win with an over to spare at the Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe.
An under-strength New Zealand played the game as Aotearoa—a move they made to celebrate Maori Language Week, per ESPN Cricinfo.
The two teams next meet on Tuesday in Harare, with the final fixture in the three-match series then taking place on Friday at the same venue.
Before then, however, here are the winners and losers from the opening ODI.
Winner: Craig Ervine (Zimbabwe)
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Craig Ervine celebrated his recall to Zimbabwe's ODI side with a superb unbeaten century.
The batsman—left out of the squad that suffered a 3-0 series defeat to India on home soil—reached three figures for the first time in 50-over action for his country.
Ervine hit five sixes and 11 fours as he finished up on 130 not out from 108 deliveries.
He shared in a second-wicket stand of 120 with Hamilton Masakadza, who made 84 before being dismissed by Nathan McCullum.
Loser: New Zealand's Bowlers
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New Zealand's new-look bowling attack crumbled under pressure in Harare.
Nathan McCullum was the only bowler to have any success for the Black Caps, with the spinner picking up three for 62.
Zimbabwe needed 34 from the final three overs yet ended up getting over the finishing line with six balls to spare.
There are some mitigating circumstances for the tourists—they are without Trent Boult and Tim Southee, both seamers having played key roles in helping their country reach the Cricket World Cup final this year.
Still, stand-in skipper Kane Williamson will be disappointed his bowlers did not do a better job of defending such a sizable score.
Winner: Ross Taylor (New Zealand)
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Ross Taylor's unbeaten century for New Zealand should not be overlooked, despite him ending up on the losing side.
The experienced right-hander made 112 not out from 122 deliveries to help the Kiwis reach 303 for four.
His 15th ton in the format means he now sits just one behind leader Nathan Astle on the all-time list for New Zealand in ODI action.
Taylor shared in a partnership worth 137 with Kane Williamson, who hit 97. It means for the fourth time this year Williamson has been dismissed in the 90s.
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Loser: Tom Latham (New Zealand)
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With Brendon McCullum rested for the tour, Tom Latham was given the chance to take over from the absent skipper at the top of New Zealand's order.
The left-hander had failed to impress in his previous ODI appearances, making just one half-century in 25 innings.
But, selected in the 50-over side for the first time since January, Latham was dismissed for just 14.
His desire to attack proved to be his downfall. Looking to play the pull shot against medium-pacer Chamu Chibhabha, he under-edged the ball onto his stumps.
Winner: Zimbabwe's Morale
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It's always nice to win, but victory in Harare was particularly sweet for Zimbabwe.
They had not got the better of an ICC Full Member in a 50-over fixture since defeating Australia at the same ground on August 31 last year.
Per Shiva Jayaraman and Bishen Jeswant of ESPN Cricinfo, it is only the second time Zimbabwe have managed to successfully chase down a target of 300 or more.
It is also just the second time they have beaten New Zealand at Harare Sports Club in eight meetings.
Loser: Chris Mpofu (Zimbabwe)
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Like centurion Craig Ervine, Christopher Mpofu was making a return to Zimbabwe's one-day side.
But, while Ervine marked his comeback with a match-winning innings, Mpofu's recall didn't go quite as he would have hoped.
The seamer conceded 84 from his 10 overs, his most expensive figures in 50-over action for his country.
His first 30 deliveries only went for 20 runs, but Mpofu suffered at the hands of Ross Taylor in the closing stages of New Zealand's innings.
The New Zealand batsman hit a six and three fours during the bowler's last two overs, leaving Mpofu with an unwanted personal milestone.
All stats used in the slideshow are from ESPN Cricinfo.
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