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New Zealand batsman Will Young scored his maiden century in One-Day Internationals as the Blackcaps beat Netherlands by seven wickets in the opener of the three-match series at Mount Maunganui on Tuesday.
Young’s 103 runs came in 114 deliveries, including eight fours and three sixes, as New Zealand chased down Netherlands’ target of 203 in 38.3 overs, losing only three wickets.
Netherlands, who last played against the Kiwis 26 years ago, batted first after winning the toss and were bowled out for 202, courtesy of Michael Rippon’s 67 and skipper Pieter Seelar’s 43.
Seelar and Rippon put on together an 80-run stand, but Netherlands lost wickets regularly and failed to build significant partnerships, tottering to 202.
New Zealand handed a debut to fast bowler Blaire Tickner, and he was the destroyer-in-chief, taking four scalps for 50 runs, while Kyle Jamieson’s new-ball exploits saw him take three wickets.
In reply, New Zealand lost opener Martin Guptill in the fourth over to Logan Van Beek, but his partner Henry Nicholls scored a vigilant fifty before being dismissed on 57 by Rippon.
Young came in at three and smashed a mammoth 162-run stand with Nicholls to lead New Zealand’s charge.
Rippon came back for another spell to take the wicket of Ross Taylor, castling him on 11 runs.
Young, who was adjudged man of the match, hit the winning runs, with a boundary over mid-off as New Zealand went one-up in the series.
The remaining ODIs will be played at Hamilton. The second ODI will be played on Saturday, with the third match
on April 4.
