New Zealand survive Scotland scare in World Cup

New Zealand almost wasted a superb bowling effort to bumble their way to a three-wicket victory over Scotland in their cricket World Cup Pool A match in Dunedin.

The co-hosts finished on 146 for seven, although they made it harder for themselves than they should have after bowling Scotland out for 142.

Scotland’s opening bowler Iain Wardlaw took three for 57 in 9.5 overs to give New Zealand some nervous moments in their run chase with many of their batsmen guilty of throwing away their wickets in an effort to improve their net run rate.

Daniel Vettori (eight not out) and Adam Milne (one), however, saw them home in the 25th over at University Oval.

New Zealand had earlier destroyed Scotland’s top order with a superb display of swing bowling from Trent Boult and Tim Southee, who reduced Preston Mommsen’s side to 12 for four in the fifth over.

Matt Machan (56) and Richie Berrington (50) rescued Scotland’s innings with a 97-run fifth-wicket partnership but once they were dismissed the tail collapsed.

Corey Anderson grabbed three middle order wickets, while Vettori finished off the tail with three, the last two of which were on successive balls.

Scorecard:

Scotland 142 all out  in 36.2 overs (Machan 56, Anderson 3-18)

New Zeland 146-7 in 24.5 overs (Williamson 38, Davey 3-40)