NAPIER: All rounder Corey Anderson provided another display of world class power hitting, making an unbeaten 68 from 40 balls as New Zealand reached 292-7 batting first Sunday in the first one-day cricket international against India.
Anderson claimed the record for the fastest century in the history of one-day internationals, from 36 balls, during New Zealand´s recent series against the West Indies and showed Sunday that he can subject even the world´s best attacks to similar punishment.
He reached his half century from 30 balls and put on 66 runs for the sixth wicket with Luke Ronchi (30) in a partnership that lasted only 6.1 overs.
Earlier, Kane Williamson made 72 and Ross Taylor 55 in a 121-run third wicket partnership which laid the solid foundation of the New Zealand innings.
Anderson´s innings included four boundaries and three monstrous sixes, one of which landed on the roof of the main grandstand at McLean Park and another which cleared the grandstand and landed in a neighboring carpark.
His latest proof of his big-hitting ability, particularly against India, is expected to make him a prized commodity in this season´s player auction for the Indian Premier League.
New Zealand´s total, achieved after India captain MS Dhoni won the toss and chose to bowl, may only be par on a hard, fast and bouncy pitch at a traditionally high-scoring ground. The home team had spurts of fast scoring, particularly when Anderson was in full flow, but India also showed an ability to rein in the run-rate at crucial times.
Mohammed Shami bowled two outstanding spells and finished with 4-55 from nine overs.
New Zealand scored 41-1 in the batting powerplay between the 35th and 40th overs and, at 202-4 with 10 overs remaining seemed set for a big finish. But after Anderson and Ronchi were separated — Ronchi scored his 30 runs from 18 balls with two fours and two sixes — the New Zealand effort dwindled.
New Zealand managed only 36 runs from its last five overs as Shami and Ishant Sharma bowled intelligently at the death.
Williamson and Taylor had seemed to have provided the basis for a more substantial total. They came together with New Zealand 32-2 after losing openers Jesse Ryder for 18 and Martin Guptill for 8 and helped it through to 100 in the 23d over.
Williamson reached his half century from 67 balls and Taylor his from 70 balls before he was caught behind by Dhoni from the bowling of Shami to give the India captain his 300th dismissal in one-day internationals.
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum became Dhoni´s 301st when he was out for 30 with the total 213-5 in the 42nd over. Anderson and Ronchi then accelerated the scoring rate through a series of highly profitable overs before the innings ended with a whimper.
India now gets the chance to bat for the first time on this tour in New Zealand conditions as it launches its preparation for the 2015 World Cup which will be co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia. (AP)
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