James Neesham claimed his maiden five-wicket ODI haul and Kane Williamson smashed an unbeaten half-ཧcentury as New Zealand thrashed Afghanistan by seven wickets in a World Cup game at Taunton on Saturday.
The Kiwis, despite losing Martin Guptill f꧋irst ball of their innings, never looked in any serious trouble chasing a paltry 173 to win as Williamson andꦓ Ross Taylor shared a century partnership for the third wicket before getting home with more than 17 overs to spare.
Earlier, Afghanistan’s batting woes continued after their openers gave them a brisk start with Hazratullah Zazai and Noor Ali Zadran putting on 66 by the end of 11th over.
But ‘Man of the Match’ Neesham, who took his ODI career best 5-31, and Lockie Ferguson (4-37) then grabbed four wickets for four runs to reduce Afghanistan to 70-4.
The Afghans never recovered and lost wickets steadily before being bowled out for 172 with nearly ten overs ꧒to spare🎃.
Brief scores: Afghanistan 172 in 41.1 overs (Hashmatullah Shahidi 59; Jimmy Neesham 5-31, Lockie Ferguson 4-37) lost to New Zealand 173/3 i𓆏n 32.1 overs (Kane Williamson 79*; Aftab Alam 3-45) by seven wickets.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Fittingly, it 🦩was who hit the winning runs. The skipper top-scored with an unbeaten 79 (99), leading his side to a comfortable victory over Afghanistan in Taunton
— ICC (@ICC)
As calm as he could be! 🙌
Skipper led from the front in New Zealand's chase vs Afghanistan!
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers)
Last three ODI innings from Kane Williamson:
▶️ 73* (today)
▶️ 40
▶️ 65*He has also faced 20,000 deli🍒veries in international cricket nౠow!
— ICC (@ICC)
🤝WELL PLAYED 🤝 Captain Kane leads off after an🏅 unbeaten 79*, the BLACKCAPS are buildin🐭g a website to start their campaign WWW
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS)
Class effort! Superb supporting ro🌱le from Lock💫ie Ferguson with 4-31 also!
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS)
Afghanistan cleaned up for 172 after being 66-0 at one s💦tage, all thanks to an incisive spell by James Neesham!
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
9 wickets between James Neesham and Locki🐠e Fer⛄guson, combined with an unbeaten 79 from saw New Zealand overcome Afghanistan in Taunton.
They now have 3⃣ wins in as many games, 🦂and remain🐽 at the apex of standings!
SCORECARD ▶️
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup)
All clas𒁃s from Kane Williamson when Rashid got hit by Fergusꦗon.
— Guy Heveldt (@GuyHeveldt)
Kane Williamson was quick enough to check if𓂃 Rashid Khan is fine. ♚
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker)