ZCZC
BSP-05
CICKET-NZL-PAK
Williamson ton anchors New Zealand in Wellington wind
WELLINGTON, Jan 6, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Kane Williamson overcame blustery
conditions to score a century and lead New Zealand to an imposing total of
315 for seven in the opening one-day international against Pakistan on
Saturday.
The wind was so strong that by the sixth over the umpires had tired of
repeatedly replacing the bails so decided to play without them until the
weather calmed.
Williamson remained unruffled throughout as he notched his 10th ODI
century before being dismissed for 115 off 117 deliveries.
Colin Munro and Henry Nicholls also chipped in with half centuries with
Munro’s whirlwind knock producing 58 off 35 deliveries.
The New Zealand opener is in a rich vein of form after making a hundred
and two half-centuries in his team’s three Twenty20 matches against West
Indies.
He smacked six fours and two sixes before he edged a good length Hasan Ali
delivery to Sarfraz Ahmed behind the stumps.
Martin Guptill briefly lifted the run rate to more than seven an over
until he was caught for 48, giving Fakhar Zaman his first ODI wicket.
The bails were returned when the wind died down in the 28th over but came
off four overs later when Hasan bowled Ross Taylor for 12.
Tom Latham went for three before Williamson and Nicholls put on 90 in 13.2
overs for the fifth wicket.
After Williamson went, Nicholls followed in the next over for 50.
Hasan claimed Nicholls’ wicket to finish with three for 61 and also took
the catch to dismiss Williamson.
BSS/AFP/MRI/1003 hrs