Debutant Worker powers New Zealand to T20 triumph

George Worker compiled a brisk 62 off just 38 balls on his international debut to enable New Zealand to complete their brief limited overs tour of Zimbabwe with an easy 80-run win in their only Twenty20 international on Sunday.

Worker's contribution powered New Zealand to 198 for five at the Harare Sports Club, a total far too challenging for the home sid, who could only muster 118 for eight. Left-hander Worker came in at No. 3 and took eight balls to get off the mark but, once into gear, brought up his swift half-century off 33 balls with one of his four sixes. Martin Guptill (33) and Luke Ronchi (29) also contributed to a steady run haul.

Zimbabwe lost a wicket in each of the opening three overs after which they were always well behind in the chase.

Only Craig Ervine, who had scored a maiden ODI century last week, offered any resistance after being dropped first ball. He scored 42 off 46 balls. New Zealand, who also beat Zimbabwe 2-1 in the ODI series, now head to South Africa, where they play two T20 internationals and three ODIs.

Scorecard 

New Zealand

M. Guptill c Sikandar Raza b Williams 33

K. Williamson c Ervine b Muzarabani 20

G. Worker b Williams 62

G. Elliott c Masakadza b Cremer 8

L. Ronchi c Ervine b Williams 29

C. Munro not out 23

N. McCullum not out 18

Extras (4lb, 1w) 5

Total (5 wkts, 20 overs) 198

Fall of wickets: 1-26, 2-75 , 3-93, 4-142, 5-157.

Bowling: Utseya 2-0-30-0, Muzarabani 3-0-34-1, Mpofu 3-0-24-0, Chibhabha 2-0-18-0, Williams 4-0-28-3, Cremer 3-0-28-1, Sikandar Raza 3-0-32-0.

Zimbabwe

H. Masakadza c Ronchi b Milne 6

C. Chibhabha b Neesham 6

C. Ervine b Elliott 42

Sikandar Raza c Ronchi b McClenaghan 8

E. Chigumbura c Neesham b McCullum 2

S. Williams c & b Sodhi 16

R. Chakabva c Ronchi b Milne 13

G. Cremer c Neesham b McClenaghan 5

P. Utseya not out 2

C. Mpofu not out 6

Extras (4b, 3lb, 5w) 12

Total (8 wkts, 20 overs) 118

Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-12, 3-25, 4-34, 5-64, 6-89, 7-101, 8-108.

Bowling: Milne 4-0-10-2, McClenaghan 4-0-33-2, Neesham 3-0-21-1, McCullum 4-0-25-1, Sodhi 4-0-15-1, Elliott 1-0-7-1.

Image: George Worker

Photograph: Sandra Mu/Getty Images