CRICKET: Zimbabwe let themselves down

Mills helped provide some much needed stability

A 10 wicket thrashing (barring any surprises), should've ensured the Black Caps place in the quarterfinals today.  Given the surprise England loss to Ireland its possibly a bit early to make that call, but there was no doubting the magnitude of the victory today, the two sides, classes apart.

In hindsight for Zimbabwe, it was probably a bad toss to win.  A team packed with spinners, had to bowl second, but the associates in this tournament, and in general, only do well chasing.  Pressure was on the NZ top order after the Australian drubbing, but they were let off the hook as Zimbabwe were unable to produce a defendable score.

Mills, back in the side for How, teamed up with Southee and gave away nothing and removing the top.  This was then followed by Vettori, whose specialty is to torment associate batsmen, who really have no hope in such encounters.  His accuracy and imperceptible variations of flight and trajectory, baffle unskilled batsmen, never allowing them to fully get balance and weight behind their shots.  He managed 3 maidens in his 10 wicket spell, collecting 2 wickets for his troubles.  He is the one bowler in our lineup that separates it as a class above in attack against the minnows.

Guptill and McCullum had no troubles at all in the chase

160ish was never going to be enough, and is the type of total and opposition our batsmen love to chase.  Guptill and McCullum did so with incredible ease and control, and showed depth in approach which was so sorely missing against Australia.

The only downside to this good victory for the Kiwi's was that our twitchy middle order, didn't get a run out.  This may still bode concerns, with Pakistan the next opponents on Tuesday.  They are looking a very strong all round unit, lead by Afridi (the highest wicket taker), but at least they are familiar which may help calm some nerves.  NZ will only gain real self belief from a victory against a top cricketing team, and with the Sri Lankan spin kings to come before the Quarterfinals, this may be the best opportunity.