Skipper Brendan Taylor’s spectacular unconquered ton went in vain as New Zealand thrashed Zimbabwe by nine wickets in the first one-day international at Harare Sports Club on Thursday.
Taylor slammed 128 off 120 balls establishing 156-run stand along with Forster Mutizwa for fifth wicket after early calamity to help reach his side total of 231-6.
Replying crisply, debutant Rob Nicol scored undefeated hundred and Martin Guptill slammed half-century as Blackcaps chased-down the target with 39 balls to spare.
Nicol and Guptilll established rock-hard 153-run opening stand to lay the stalwart foundations of Blackcaps triumph.
