New Zealand thrash Scotland by 102 runs to seal T20 series
Cricket
New Zealand beat Scotland by 102 runs in Edinburgh on Friday to complete a 2-0 series win.
EDINBURGH (AFP) - New Zealand posted their highest Twenty20 international total of 254 as they hammered Scotland by 102 runs in Edinburgh on Friday to complete a 2-0 series win.
Test world champions New Zealand, who only two days earlier defeated Scotland, a team outside the global elite, by 68 runs again proved too strong for their hosts.
Mark Chapman and Michael Bracewell both enjoyed career-best scores at this level on Friday, making 83 and 61 not out respectively in a total of 254-5.
Chapman s 44-ball knock featured seven sixes, the first getting him off the mark, while Bracewell faced 25 balls for his runs.
The 28-year-old Chapman s innings was all the more creditable as it was his first professional knock since mid-April.
"It s just the nature of international cricket," Chapman told the ESPNCricinfo website. "It took a bit to get going, but once you get one out of the middle of the bat, things come back pretty quickly.
"We ve been talking about taking the game on, and being really positive in the way we play. It came off today, and the boys are pretty happy."
Scotland never looked like chasing down a huge target and in the end did well to avoid being bowled out as they finished on 152-9.
Chris Greaves top-scored with 37, while New Zealand all-rounder James Neesham took two wickets in an over and spinner Michael Rippon 2-37.
