Kane Williamson celebrates his tenth ODI century. Image: Photosport

Kane classic leads the way

Posted Saturday, 6 January, 2018 in International Match Reports

In short

The highest ever ODI total at the Basin Reserve and a sharp opening burst with the ball put the BLACKCAPS well ahead of Pakistan before the rain arrived in Wellington.

Scorecard

Hold onto your Hats
While the rain stayed away from the Basin, the Wellington winds conspired to challenge players and officials. At one stage the bails on the stumps had to be removed as gales exceeding 100kmph ripped across the Oval. Unpleasant, but not unheard of for the Basin!

Dynamic Duo
Left-hand and right-hand. Power and panache. Clatter and Class. However, you sell it - Colin Munro and Martin Guptill (48) are a formidable opening pair. They once again got the BLACKCAPS off to a good start, which was especially important with the new ball swinging about. By the time Munro departed for another brutal half-century (four on the trot now!), the hosts were on 83 in just the 13th over. Quality.

All aboard the Kane-Train 2018
Just six days into the new year and the BLACKCAPS master-blaster is already on the century-board. He took a while to find the pace of the wicket, but once he settled into his work he was able to chip the ball around expertly and anchor his side to a very good total against a quality bowling attack.

Beware Ali
Carrying the number one bowling tag comes with plenty of expectation - and Pakistan paceman Hasan Ali did not disappoint. Coming on at first-change he looked every bit the best ODI bowler in the world and troubled the BLACKCAPS top order. He claimed the big wicket of a flying Munro, before removing Ross Taylor with an absolute peach which nipped back. His 3-62 wasn’t a fair reflection of his bowling. Will be a threat all series!

Late Cream
Henry Nicholls continues to show promise in the middle order. The versatile left-hander entered the game in the 34th over at 198-4 and by the time he left, he’d steered his captain to a century, the scoreboard towards 300 and he’d posted a 42-ball 50. Exactly what we want from our man in the middle.

Southee Strikes
The big man from Whangarei is bowling well at the moment and for the second game in a row, he produced a double-strike in the first over. Coming wide of the crease, the right-arm paceman angled the ball back towards the stumps and dismissed danger men Azhar Ali and Babar Azam LBW in consecutive deliveries. Sidenote - Ali challenged his decision which was upheld, while Azam would have liked to review his LBW which was later shown to be going over the stumps.

Fakhar Zaman holds strong

Despite losing regular partners Fakhar Zaman just kept going for Pakistan. The resolute opener carried on his form from Pakistan’s tour warm up where he made a hundred, sitting on 82* when the rain came.  His partnership with Shadab Khan showed that there is plenty of pluck in this Pakistan side. All signs from the first match point to this being an intriguing series ahead.

Rain

After a consistent period of rain the Umpires called the players off the field just after 5-30. Play then looked set to resume at 6, but further showers set in and play was eventually called with no sign of the rain easing and fading light.

Follow our social stream below through the day at the Basin Reserve.

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