New Zealand v United States of America

At The Oval, September 10. New Zealand won by 210 runs. New Zealand 2 pts. Toss: USA. International debuts: all USA except C. B. Lambert (played for West Indies).

New Zealand's winning margin of 210 runs was their biggest in a one-day international and was based on a memorable hundred from Astle. The outfield was soggy and the conditions dank after heavy rain had delayed the start by over an hour. New Zealand struggled initially to adapt and failed to impress a three-figure crowd that had probably been expecting more records to be broken. The USA's new-ball pairing of Howard Johnson and Tony Reid, who both bowled batsmanfriendly medium-pace, found enough swing to restrict New Zealand early on, and when Leon Romero had Marshall caught at third man in the 13th over, the score was 43 for two. After a dawdling recovery, McMillan joined Astle at 211 for four in the 43rd, at which point both batsmen decided to avoid the slow outfield altogether and aim over the top. The plan worked spectacularly, with the pair lofting 13 sixes and hurrying the scorers with 136 runs in the final 7.4 overs of the innings. Astle recorded his 14th and highest one-day international hundred and pummelled 13 fours and six sixes, while McMillan launched seven of the 27 balls he faced over the ropes. The USA's reply was spirited but futile and, after reaching 52 without loss, they managed only 85 more.

Man of the Match: N. J. Astle. Attendance: 4,500.