Cricket-Calm Williamson guides NZ to Twenty20 victory

Feb 14 (Reuters) - Kane Williamson produced some
brilliant placement under pressure to guide New Zealand to a
five-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in their second Twenty20
international at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Tuesday.
Williamson scored 20 runs from five balls, stroking three
boundaries and a six, after he had come to the wicket in the
penultimate over with the hosts needing 21 runs to win the match
and secure a sweep of every game on the tour.
Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor had scored 75 not out in his
side's 200 for two in their 20 overs and while New Zealand were
always in touch with the imposing run rate, they looked like
they could be headed for defeat when they lost two wickets off
successive balls in the 19th over.
Williamson then took the game by the scruff of the neck and
ensured New Zealand head into their series against South Africa
with confidence high and knowing they had been placed under
pressure in the final Zimbabwe match.
James Franklin (60) top scored for New Zealand and combined
in an opening partnership of 103 with Rob Nicol (56) before he
was run out while attempting a second run following some
miscommunication with skipper Brendan McCullum and Kegan Meth
made a direct hit from the boundary.
Hamilton Masakadza, who scored 53 in the first Twenty20
international, blazed 62 off just 42 balls as he and Stuart
Matsikenyeri (32) put on 76 for the first wicket for the
visitors.
Taylor and Masakadaza continued to belt the New Zealand
attack around the picturesque ground, prompting McCullum to use
eight bowlers and make 15 bowling changes, and put their
fielders under pressure for the first time on their short tour.
Taylor and Elton Chigumbura (29 not out) combined for an
unbroken 79-run third wicket partnership that ensured Zimbabwe
posted not only a challenging total, but also their highest mark
in a Twenty20 international.
(Reporting by Greg Stutchbury in Wellington; Editing by John
O'Brien)

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