NEW ZEALAND v ZIMBABWE

At Napier, March 3. New Zealand won by 48 runs, Zimbabwe's target having been revised to 154 from 18 overs. Toss: Zimbabwe. After this severely curtailed match, Crowe admitted he had contemplated dropping a skied catch from Campbell, from the fifth ball of the 15th over. The sixth ball had to be bowled to produce a valid result; he feared the rain, already falling, would grow heavier and the two-minute gap between batsmen might have been crucial. The umpires conferred as Shah came out, but allowed play to continue. New Zealand's innings had been delayed and twice interrupted. At the second break, 52 for two from 11.2 overs was not a particularly strong showing. But in what proved to be their last session at the crease, 110 came from 9.3 overs. By now the Zimbabweans were handicapped by the slippery outfield; Butchart fell twice running in to bowl, and was hit for 53 in four overs. Crowe's 50 in 31 balls was a World Cup record, and he finished unbeaten on 74 from 44 balls (eight fours, two sixes). He shared 129 in 14 overs with Jones (58 balls, nine fours) before the latter fell to Waller's running catch, in drizzle, in front of the sightscreen.

Man of the Match: M. D. Crowe. Attendance: 6,581.