Whipping boys

Captain Brendan Taylor’s classy unbeaten century (128) was in vain at Harare Sports Club yesterday where Zimbabwe lost by nine wickets to touring New Zealand, in the first of the three-match Castle Lager one-day international cricket series.

New Zealand confirmed Zimbabwe’s total of 231-6 was inadequate when they easily coasted home with 39 balls and nine wickets in hand.

Spin or seam, fast or slow, Zimbabwe’s bowling was never up to the task of defending such a total against such an experienced line-up.

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