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
