Vettori leads Kiwis to three wicket win over Windies in one-dayer

CRICKET: An unbeaten half century by Daniel Vettori ensured a three wicket victory for New Zealand in their one-day cricket international against the West Indies here Wednesday after a top order collapse threatened to put the modest target beyond reach.

The West Indies could only manage 200-9 after batting first but their opening bowlers Fidel Edwards and Ian Bradshaw reduced New Zealand to 13-4 before a lower order fightback saw New Zealand safely to 204-7 and a 2-0 lead in the five match series.

After losing their first wicket with 10 on the scoreboard, reaching 13 proved unlucky for the home side, with three wickets falling without another run being added.

Both Peter Fulton (49) and wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum (45) were unlucky not to reach their half centuries after setting the New Zealand innings back on course.

McCullum in particular was in a belligerent mood, hitting his runs at better than a run a ball. He did most of the damage when 22 runs were taken off Jerome Taylor in the 17th over in what may have been the turning point.

After McCullum's arrival at 49-5 in the 15th over, he and Fulton put on 71 runs for the sixth wicket. But Vettori, relying heavily on cleverly angled shots behind square, and James Franklin (15 not out) put on 61 runs as the West Indies ran out of ideas on how to grab back the initiative. The loss means the beleagured West Indies have now been beaten in 15 out of the last 17 completed one-day internationals they have played.

The best of their bowlers were Edwards, who finished with 2-41 from his 10 overs while Bradshaw took 2-31 from 10. New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said it was disappointing the top order had been unable to cope with the visitors new ball attack.
