Kiwi run-glut sets up massive win

Opener Lou Vincent smashed the highest one-day score by a New Zealander as the Black Caps flirted with a world record total before thrashing...

Opener Lou Vincent smashed the highest one-day score by a New Zealander as the Black Caps flirted with a world record total before thrashing Zimbabwe by 192 runs in a triangular series match on Wednesday.

Vincent top-scored with 172 in a New Zealand total of 397-5 in 44 overs before Zimbabwe were dismissed for 205 in 43 overs.

The match, the first in a triangular series also involving India, was reduced to 44 overs per side after the start was delayed by a damp pitch. Had New Zealand faced their full quota of 50 overs, Sri Lanka8217;s world record total of 398-5 against Kenya at Kandy in 1996 would have fallen. New Zealand hit 39 fours and 16 sixes, a total of 252 runs in boundaries, while Zimbabwe fast bowler Andy Blignaut8217;s return of 2-96 in nine overs was the third most expensive in one-day history.

The 349-9 New Zealand made against India in Rajkot in 1999-00 was their previous highest innings.

Vincent attacked the bowling from the outset and his maiden century, which included 16 fours and nine sixes in 119 balls, surpassed Glenn Turner8217;s 171 not out against East Africa in a 60-over match at the 1975 World Cup.

Vincent and captain Stephen Fleming, who scored 93, shared in an opening stand of 204 8211; the biggest partnership by New Zealand for any wicket.

Zimbabwe squandered a chance to dismiss Fleming for eight in the sixth over when debutant Anthony Ireland, fielding at mid-off, dived forward but dropped a catch which would have earned a wicket for medium pacer Blessing Mahwire.

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New Zealand then took wickets regularly against the demoralised Zimbabweans with left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori, who came in as a substitute for Fleming and took over the captaincy, finishing with 3-29 in eight overs.

Brief scores:

New Zealand: 397-5 in 44 overs L.Vincent 172, S.Fleming 93, C.McMillan 47, B.McCullum 51 n.o, Blignaut 2-96, Ireland 2-52 bt Zimbabwe: 205 all out in 43 overs B.Taylor 36, S.Carlisle 25, C.Coventry 25, H.Streak 45, Cairns 2-74, Vettori 3-29, Adams 2-22.

Top Five Scores in ODIs

8226; 398/5 50 overs SL v Kenya 1995/96

8226; 397/5 44 overs NZ v Zim 2005

8226; 391-5 50 Overs Eng v Bang 2005

8226; 376-2 50 overs India v NZ 1999/00

8226; 373-6 50 overs India v SL 1999