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Black Caps edge past battling Scotland

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Co-hosts New Zealand secured their second World Cup victory in as many Pool A matches following a hard-fought three-wicket triumph over Scotland at the University Oval in Dunedin.

The Black Caps were not as convincing as they were in their opening win over Sri Lanka, losing seven wickets in pursuit of just 143.

They were never in danger of running out of time, though, Kane Williamson top-scoring with 38 as they completed the success with over half of their 50 overs remaining.

An early finish appeared to be on the cards when Trent Boult and Tim Southee both took two wickets in consecutive balls inside the opening five overs to leave Scotland in dire straits at 12 for four.

But Matt Machan and Richie Berrington ensured their side avoided embarrassment with half-centuries in a 97-run stand that lifted the Scots to 142 all out. 

Kane Williamson top-scores with 38 as co-hosts New Zealand beat Scotland to secure a second successive World Cup victory

Brendon McCullum’s decision to field was justified when Boult and Southee caused havoc with the new ball.

Boult trapped both Calum MacLeod and Hamish Gardiner lbw with the first two balls of his opening over and, not to be outdone, Southee then dismissed Kyle Coetzer and Preston Mommsen at the beginning of the fourth.

But Machan and Berrington dug in, frustrating the Black Caps’ attack with a stand spanning 23 overs.

Machan moved to a half-century off 71 balls and Berrington required eight more deliveries to reach the milestone.

However, shortly afterwards the pair departed to top-edged pulls in consecutive overs to Corey Anderson, who finished with 3-18 when Matthew Cross tickled behind.

Trent Boult, centre, is congratulated after dismissing Calum MacLeod, the first of two wickets in as many balls for the left-armer

That left the tail exposed to Daniel Vettori and the veteran left-arm spinner quickly wrapped up the innings with the wickets of Rob Taylor, Majid Haq and Iain Wardlaw.

Despite the low total, New Zealand’s chase did not go as smoothly as they would have liked due to several poor shots.

Wardlaw had openers Martin Guptill and McCullum caught behind, although they already had 48 on the board when the latter departed to the final ball of the seventh over.

Haq accounted for Ross Taylor cheaply and, after hitting six fours, Williamson was caught behind off Josh Davey.

New Zealand were five down with 25 runs still required when Grant Elliott, who made 29, edged Wardlaw behind.

But even though Davey struck twice more when Anderson and Luke Ronchi holed out, the Black Caps were almost home and Vettori edged the winning runs.


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