GLOBAL Cricket


	New Zealand damped Pietersen's captaincy debut 28 June 2008
	New Zealand beat England by 51 runs in the last ODI between England and New Zealand today. Kevin Pietersen, standing in for Paul Collingwood as captain, won the toss and inserted New Zealand on a fine Summer's day. Things got off to a good start for England when they had McCullum, Taylor and How all in the pavillion within the 19th over, with the score 71 for 3. However, Styris and Flynn put on a 53 run partnership before Flynn fell for 35 and the score 123 for 4 in the 32nd over. In came Oram who played a swashbuckling innings of 52 off 40 balls, including three sixes and two fours. However, he fell in the 44th over with the score 201 for 5. Grant Elliott came to the crease and from this point New Zeland scored 65 runs in 6 overs. Scott Stryis continued his run of form with 87 runs off 91 balls. The pick of the England bowlers by far was Graeme Swann who ended up with 10 overs, no maidens, 2 for 32. England in response got off to a solid start, with a half century partnership between Cook and Bell. However two quick wickets meant that Bell departed for 27, and Cook for 24. No other batsman got a start apart from Bopara and Shah, with Bopara getting 30 off 29 balls before being bowled by a fantastic Vettori ball. Shah made a beautiful 69 off 75 balls, but when he came to the crease the run rate was rising rapidly, and eventually his partners shot the run rate so far up he had to go for everything and was eventually caught at long off by James Marshall. England stutterted to a total of 215, with Vettori and Southee the pick of the New Zealand bowlers, with each picking up three wickets. Man of the Match went to Scott Stryis, and Player of the Series went to Tim Southee.