Match 6: Pool A.  New Zealand Vs Scotland played at University Oval, Dunedin

New Zealand 146/7 (KS Williamson 38, GD Elliot 29, JH Davy 3/40, I Wardlaw 3/57) beat Scotland 142 All Out (MW Machan 56, RD Barrington 50 ,CJ Anderson 3/18 , D Vettori 3/24 , TA Boult 2/21, T Southee 2/35 ) by 3 wickets .

Ranked outsiders Scotland almost turned the table on tournament favorite New Zealand in their own backyard. In a low scoring tight contest stunt Kiwis could overcome resolute Scotch only just.

Batting first Scotland could manage only 142 against very probing Kiwis attack. All thought that New Zealand will cruise across very easy target .But that was not to be. A very determined Scottish team fought tooth and nail.

Tight bowling and sharp fielding made Kiwis fight for every run. Greater depth and better skill of their batting saw Kiwis through. Win by three wickets put New Zealand in a very advantageous position in a tight group where net run rate may become an issue at crucial stage.

The match was a sharp contrast to West Indies Ireland match yesterday when Ireland chased over 300 and won. On the day home team struggled to get past a very modest target on less than 150.Put into bat poor Scotts ran into rough water against very penetrative Kiwi pace attack spearheaded by Southee and Boult.

Four top order batsmen returned to the dugout with only 12 on board by the fifth over.  A very ease end of the match was on the card .But Scotland fought back bravely showing lot of character .A fifth wicket partnership between Machan and Barrington adding 97 precious runs gave some respectability to their score.

Both managed fifties but could not expand their innings . Once Anderson accounted for the both others could hardly resist Kiwis surge. Scotland got bowled out for a paltry 142 in only 36.2 Overs. New Zealand bowled exceptionally well as a team .After Southee and Boult doing the damage with the new ball old Fox Vittori and Emerging all-rounder Anderson shared the remaining six wickets equally squeezing the Scotts out.

A relaxed New Zealand team did not realize what was in store for them. May be kiwis were keen to blast Scotts to rush for the win. May be their plan was to win as quickly as possible to improve net run rate. But Scotland taking wickets at regular interval created some issues for them .None but Williamson and Elliot could bat with much authority .Even the two were out to quality Scottish bowling. Ultimately Kiwis lost as many as 7 wickets in scoring 146 runs. Another 30-40 by the Scottish team could make the match very interesting. Scotch whisky will definitely taste a bit bitter for the Kiwis tonight.

Poor luck Scotland. They were defeated but not disgraced. They can lots of positives from such defeat. Trent Boult for his fiery bowling was adjudged man of the match.

New Zealand has played two and won two with good Net Run Rate. This has placed them in an advantageous position. But they have to bat much better against stronger opposition .They have shown some chink in the arm. Brave Scotland will create some worries for some other teams of the group for sure .Teams will suffer if they are taken for granted.

BDST: 1313 HRS, FEB 17, 2015