A strong New Zealand XI squad has edged past Scotland by one run in a thrilling match at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln.
The match kick started a huge summer of cricket in dramatic fashion, with Brendon McCullum, Corey Anderson and Dan Vettori all featuring for the NZ XI against future ICC Cricket World Cup opponents Scotland.
It was a tight encounter throughout, with Scotland dismissed off the final ball just one run shy of NZ XI’s 263 all out from the first innings.
The visitors won the toss and opted to bowl first – a decision which was justified early through two quick wickets. McCullum then came to the crease to join Tom Latham and began to swing back the momentum.
The captain wasted little time, getting off the mark with a six. He sped to 52 off 44 balls, before he too fell and the NZ XI were 102-3.
Wickets continued to fall and it looked as if NZ XI might struggle to play out their overs, but a knock of 53 from Anderson and 33 from Kyle Mills pushed the home side through to a very respectable 263 all out.
In reply, Scotland looked on track for victory for much of the second innings, with a fourth wicket partnership between Matt Machan (83) and Hamish Gardiner (54) steering them through to 150-3.
A further 56 from Freddie Coleman had them on the cusp of victory, but the late pressure was starting to show on Scotland, who began to lose wickets all too often.
In the end it came down to the final over from Mitchell McClenaghan, with Scotland needing seven to win. A four from the third ball narrowed it down to needing two from three, but McClenaghan would not give up another run, strangling Scotland two short of victory.
Nevertheless, Scotland had made a statement – watch out for us at the world cup.
It was a happy return for Vettori, who was economical with figures of 0-43 from 10 overs. Mills also performed well with the ball, his eight overs going for just 26 and taking two wickets.
The NZ XI next play Ireland in Hamilton on Saturday.
