New Zealand v Scotland
Wisden's review of the third match, New Zealand v Scotland
15-Apr-2016
At Dunedin, February 17, 2015. New Zealand won by three wickets. Toss: New Zealand.
Eight years after their last World Cup match, Scotland made a gruesome start. Dunedin, the Edinburgh of the South, should have felt like a home from home, but on a murky morning New Zealand's opening bowlers were inhospitable: Boult and Southee swung the ball prodigiously at high speed, and Scotland were soon 12 for four. To reach 142 was a gutsy effort. Machan, arriving at one for two, showed poise amid the chaos, counterpunching judiciously. He found an ally in Berrington, whose initial restraint gave way to a straight six off Vettori. They added 97 before Machan was caught trying to heave Anderson to midwicket, a shot that felt about ten overs premature. Scotland's second collapse - their last six fell for 33 - was even more dispiriting than the first, as it came under sunny skies, although Vettori bowled with guile. They equalled the World Cup record of five ducks in an innings; uniquely, four were first-ballers. New Zealand approached the chase brimming with intent. Scotland could have wilted, but Wardlaw and Davey found a threatening length outside off stump, and claimed three victims apiece. Even so, a three-wicket victory hardly reflected New Zealand's dominance: they won with half their overs left. Yet, had Wardlaw caught Anderson at fine leg, they would have been 119 for six, and Scotland might have been dreaming of an extraordinary maiden World Cup win. TIM WIGMORE
Man of the Match: T. A. Boult.
Eight years after their last World Cup match, Scotland made a gruesome start. Dunedin, the Edinburgh of the South, should have felt like a home from home, but on a murky morning New Zealand's opening bowlers were inhospitable: Boult and Southee swung the ball prodigiously at high speed, and Scotland were soon 12 for four. To reach 142 was a gutsy effort. Machan, arriving at one for two, showed poise amid the chaos, counterpunching judiciously. He found an ally in Berrington, whose initial restraint gave way to a straight six off Vettori. They added 97 before Machan was caught trying to heave Anderson to midwicket, a shot that felt about ten overs premature. Scotland's second collapse - their last six fell for 33 - was even more dispiriting than the first, as it came under sunny skies, although Vettori bowled with guile. They equalled the World Cup record of five ducks in an innings; uniquely, four were first-ballers. New Zealand approached the chase brimming with intent. Scotland could have wilted, but Wardlaw and Davey found a threatening length outside off stump, and claimed three victims apiece. Even so, a three-wicket victory hardly reflected New Zealand's dominance: they won with half their overs left. Yet, had Wardlaw caught Anderson at fine leg, they would have been 119 for six, and Scotland might have been dreaming of an extraordinary maiden World Cup win. TIM WIGMORE
Man of the Match: T. A. Boult.