Latham and Guptill equal up the series, Time for final showdown

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The all-important second ODI between New Zealand and Zimbabwe was a thiller. New Zealand dominated from the start till the end as Zimbabwe were left in a real shock. Zimbabwe had won the first ODI with an extravagant performance chasing 304.  Although, the second ODI didn’t turn out in their favour as the Kiwis took the revenge in the best possible way.

Zimbabwe had won the toss and elected to bat first. They didn’t make any changes in the team personnel as Kiwis recalled Munro after a long break since 2013 replacing Jimmy Neesham.

The match started with Masakadza taking the guard along with Chibhabha. For New Zealand, Matt Henry was up to bowl the first over. Masakadza was seen struggling timing the ball and placement was an issue. He though, missed out on an outside edge and was seen beaten half a dozen times. However, this nervous innings came to an end in the 4^th over itself when McClenaghan stirked with the ball for the Kiwis. Masakadza fell for a duck after poor performance the first 3 overs.

Craig Ervine, the star performer and the centurion of the first ODI, then came out to bat. Ervine and Chibhabha started to build a good partnership, thinking of keeping wickets and destroying the Kiwis’ bowling attack in the last dozen overs. But here, Grant Elliot was certainly not in the mood to give let them settle. Grant Elliot smoothly dismissed the first man of the match performer, Ervine. Soon after couple of overs, Sodhi got his first ODI wicket as he dismissed Chakabva. Then, the captian, Elton Chigumbura came out to bat. HE didn’t last long too as Elliot got his second wicket dismissing the captain. Zimbabwe were now in a serious hell of trouble as they were 54/4.

There was some heroics seen in the field too as Martin Guptill’s direct hit, after stopping the ball with a dive, sent Sean Williams straight back to the pavilion. Ish Sodhi got his 3^rd wicket after by dismissing Cremer on 5. Soon, in the next over Utseya fell for a duck to Nathan McCullum. There were some hopes for Zimbabweans as Sikandar Raza registered his 50 and was fighting alone on one end. Panyangara and Raza built up the highest partnership of the match after scoring 89 runs in just 79 odd balls to give themselves a fighting total of 236 runs to defend.

It was now time for the double centurion of World Cup, Martin Guptill and Tom Latham to provide a  good steady start. Playing up to their mark with sensational shots and abilities of middling the ball, the both registered half century each. Gutill completed his 4000 ODI runs. The New Zealand openers were looking in a very good form with the word ‘Revenge’ knocking in the minds. Zimbabwean bowlers had nothing to offer. They were not able to create even a half chance. They all were being smashed all around the ground.

Guptill and Latham soon reached milestones as both of them scored century. This was now highest partnership for any wicket for the Kiwis against Zimbabwe. Gutill scored 116 as Latham scored 110.

The match ended with New Zealand winning by 10 wickets, giving worth to the third and final match. Latham and Guptill proved their importance in the team, as well as sent a message to then opponent to come out with strong and different plan for the next game.