
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 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.
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