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Both New Zealand and Scotland would have looked out the window in the morning and anticipated little cricket today. However when the rain gods decided to pause for breath, and the ground staff at The Oval produced a magic 30 minute turn around, we were treated to some good old fashioned 7-overs a side gully cricket.

With the loss of wickets no longer part of the equation, the batsmen for either side were given a licence to thrill, and both sides to their credit came to party. One hundred and seventy nine runs were scored in 13 overs between Scotland and New Zealand, in what turned out to be an excellent appetizer for the Gayle th at followed later in the day.

Brendon McCullum was captaining the Kiwis in place of Daniel Vettori, who picked up an injury to his shoulder in the warm-up before the game. The team medics are as yet unsure whether he will be available for the rest of the series.

New Zealand won the toss and opted to field first, a decision that was made a mockery off by Ryan Watson, as he dispatched Iain O'Brien for four boundaries in the very first over. The over went for 18.

James Franklin was invited to bowl the second over, and dropped a hot, caught and bowled chance off Navdeep Poonia. Scotland stole a single, and Watson celebrated getting the strike back with another flurry, as Scotland made the most of their powerplay overs, racing to 30 for no loss.

Regrettably for the many Scottish fans in attendance, Ryan Watson's cameo was cut short, as he was caught by Ross Taylor coming in from the cover boundary off the first ball of the third over. Scotland however still managed 11 off the over, and at 41 for 1 were looking extremely competitive.

Jacob Oram bowled an excellent fourth over, conceding just 7 runs off it to pull the game back just a little bit.

However, Scotland restored their advantage as the 5th over bowled by the burly Jesse Ryder went for 19, as Kyle Coetzer clubbed the last three balls for 4, 6 and 4 respectively.

Oram continued from the other end and Poonia finally got into the act, hitting a four followed by a six off the third and fourth ball of the over. Scotland were brilliantly placed at 81 for 1 from 6 overs.

Ian Butler came back into the attack to bowl the final over, and it turned out to be a crucial one, apart from a top edge from Coetzer that went for six, Butler conceded just two more runs, and New Zealand picked up three crucial wickets to restrict Scotland to just 8.

Scotland had done better than anyone could have anticipated, and another upset looked on the cards.

 

The Scottish bowling was however mediocre at best, and the gentle medium pace of Calum MacLeod was smashed for 19 of the opening over of the innings by McCullum to bring his side back in contention.

Gordon Drummond did a little better than his new ball partner, conceding 12 from the second over as New Zealand bettered Scotland's powerplay performance by one run.

Jesse Ryder got into the act at the other end smashing 20 off the first four balls of Craight Wright's over before finding the fielder at long-on off the fifth delivery. His lovely little cameo put New Zealand firmly in the driver's seat.

A mix-up in the middle, off a free hit in the fourth over saw McCullum stranded, as New Zealand put themselves under a little pressure, needing 26 from the last 3 overs to win the match.

Scotland were the first side to try spin in the day, and Ryan Watson produced the over of the day, conceding just four runs, picking up the wicket of Oram, and also having two catches dropped in the over, the second of Ross Taylor by wicketkeeper Colin Smith off the last ball of the over. It proved to be the defining moment in the match.

Needing 22 to win off 12, New Zealand wrapped up the game in style as Taylor hammered consecutive sixes off Jan Stander before Scott Styris chipped in with one more in the 6th over to end Scotland's spirited challenge.

Both sides will now look forward to an opportunity to do battle with South Africa, with Scotland having the first shot on Sunday, and New Zealand playing the Proteas on Tuesday.

Mini Scorecard:
Scotland 89-4 (7 overs)
Coetzer 33          Butler 3-19

New Zealand 90-3 (6 overs)
Ryder 31            Watson 1-4

Man of the match: Ian Butler (NZ)

Photograph Copyright: ICC

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