New Zealand stayed calm and composed throughout to win themselves a
semi-final meeting with Pakistan as Zimbabwe bowed out of the ICC KnockOut
tournament, beaten by 64 runs at the Nairobi Gymkhana Club on Monday.
Set 266 for victory, Zimbabwe were still in the match 25 overs into their
innings. But New Zealand refused to panic and chipped away until the
Zimbabweans finally lost their nerve. They were eventually bowled out for
201 and could have no complaints about their defeat. On the day New Zealand
were clearly the better team.
Despite brave efforts from the middle order, Zimbabwe continued to lose
wickets at regular intervals in the second half of their innings. Guy
Whittall made a brisk 26 off 21 deliveries before he was sent back by Stuart
Carlisle after Chris Harris made a smart stop in the covers. The return left
Whittall stranded and Zimbabwe on 154 for five. Whittall and Carlisle had
put on 46 for the fifth wicket.
Carlisle had gone to his 50 off 68 deliveries and Zimbabwe needed him to
stay at the crease until the death, but after reaching 67 he cut at Paul
Wiseman and Adam Parore took the catch off a thin edge. With Zimbabwe on 168
for six and just 13 overs remaining, the match had tilted New Zealand's way.
There was still Heath Streak at the crease, however, but after hitting both
Wiseman and Nathan Astle for six, he drove powerfully at Astle and the
bowler held a fine, two-handed return catch. Streak's 20 had taken just 16
deliveries but with 11 overs remaining and 76 still required for victory,
Zimbabwe were in trouble. Most crucially, only three wickets remained.
With Zimbabwe increasingly desperate, Harris again demonstrated his value in
the field with the run out of Dirk Viljoen for 9 at 196 for eight. Paul
Strang was then adjudged leg before trying to sweep Astle and Mluleki Nkala
was bowled, trying to hit Wiseman to Mombassa. The wicket gave Wiseman
figures of four for 45 and the innings closed after 42.2 overs.