McCullum century sets up resounding win

A typically brash hundred from Brendon McCullum set the platform for a late assault from the middle order and a massive New Zealand total of 358 for 6 against Canada in Mumbai. McCullum kept a firm grip on the first half of the innings with controlled aggression, and after he departed Ross Taylor was the spark that ignited New Zealand's charge after the Batting Powerplay was taken in the 37th over

Canada won the toss and opted to bowl in order to take advantage of any early-morning moisture in the pitch. But after a reasonably disciplined start the bowlers' lines started to waver and McCullum, in particular, took a heavy toll. He repeatedly rifled cuts and drives through or over the off side, and had entered the 30s at better than a-run-a-ball when New Zealand's fifty came up in the ninth over.

McCullum passed fifty and soon tired of accumulation when the field was set back, reverse-sweeping John Davison for the first boundary in six overs and then jumping down the track to swat legspinner Balaji Rao high over long-off. He continued to be severe on any width, slashing Khurram Chohan to third man as he moved swiftly through the 80s.

Taylor flicked Osinde twice to the leg-side boundary to kick-start his innings and partnered McCullum to his third ODI hundred in the 36th over. With New Zealand's two most devastating batsmen at the crease, the batting Powerplay was called for immediately afterwards, but McCullum was its first victim when he slapped Baidwan straight to Ruvindu Gunasekara at extra cover.