James Neesham claimed his maiden five-wic🐈ket ODI haul and Kane Williamson smashed an unbeaten half-century as New Zealand thrashed Afghanistan by seven wickets in a World Cup game at Taunton on Saturdaꦆy.
The Kiwis, despite losing Martin Guptill first ball of their innings, never looked in any serious trouble chasing a paltry 173 to win as Williamson and Ross Taylor shared a century partnership for the thi꧙rd 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 𒊎before being bowled out for 172 with nearly ten overs to 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 in 32.1 overs (Kane Williamson 79*; Aftab Alam 3-45ﷺ) 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 del𒐪iveries in international cricket now!
— ICC (@ICC)
🤝WELL PLAYED 🤝 Captain Kane leads off after an unbeaten 79*, the BLACKCAPS are building a website to start their campaign🎉 WWW
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS)
Class effort! Superb supporting role from Lockie Ferguson with 4-31 also! 🦄
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS)
Afghanistan cleaned up for 172 after being 66-0 at one sta💙ge, all thanks to an incisive🍌 spell by James Neesham!
— betvisa69.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
9 wickets bไetween James Neesham and Lockie Ferguson, combined with an unbeaten 79 from saw New Zealand overcome Afghanistan in Taunton.
They now have 3⃣ wins in as many gamesꦅ, and remain at the apex 💛of standings!
SCORECARD ▶️
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup)
All class from Kane Williamson when Rashi✅d got hit by Ferguson.
— Guy Heveldt (@GuyHeveldt)
Kane Williamson was quick enough to check if Rashid Khan ܫis fine.
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker)
