DUNEDIN, New Zealand (AP) – New Zealand narrowly avoided a major misstep in their first meeting with a second-tier nation at the Cricket World Cup, edging Scotland by three wickets in a low-scoring match Tuesday to stay unbeaten after two games in Pool A.
Chasing Scotland’s modest total of 142, New Zealand needed only half their allotted overs to reach the target but lost wickets at regular intervals in an undisciplined run chase and finished on 146 for seven.
“Credit to Scotland for the way they hung in there,” New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum said. “Lesser teams would have rolled over there and credit to them for the way they hung in and managed to post a total which was always going to be a bit difficult on that surface.
“Really good performance with the ball and in the field, but we need to improve on our batting.”
New Zealand’s simple chase became a struggle, either through complacency or haste. The tournament co-host had looked comfortable at 63 for two when the late innings break was taken but bled wickets on the resumption.
Kane Williamson made 38 and Grant Elliott 29 for the Black Caps, who took an unbeaten side into the match after the opening win against Sri Lanka.
“It showed when we put the ball in the right areas we got rewards and (Josh Davey and Ian Wardlaw) bowled really well there towards the death,” Scotland captain Preston Mommsen said.
“Unfortunately, we couldn’t pick up those extra three wickets but I was very proud of the fight at the end there. It showed character and I’m very proud of the first performance.”
Scotland lost their top four batsmen inside the first five overs after being sent in, slumping to 4-12.
Trent Boult and Tim Southee both had early hat trick opportunities against a Scotland batting lineup that lost four men to golden ducks.
Matt Machan made a pugnacious 56 and Richie Berrington 50 in a 97-run partnership that rescued Scotland from a potentially embarrassing total.
Summarised scores:
Scotland 142 in 36.2 overs (Matt Machan 56, Richie Berrington 50; Corey Anderson 3-18, Daniel Vettori 3-24, Trent Boult 2-21, Tim Southee 2-35). New Zealand 146-7 in 24.5 overs (Kane Williamson 38; Josh Davey 3-40, Iain Wardlaw 3-53). New Zealand won by three wickets.