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Preview: New Zealand coach Mike Hesson’s assurances that his team won’t take Scotland lightly when they meet in a Cricket World Cup Pool A match Tuesday is more than just the usual platitudes that emerge when a highly-favored team meets a weaker one. When New Zealand, in the guise of a New Zealand XI, met Scotland in a World Cup warmup match in Christchurch four months ago it needed a wicket from the last ball of the match to win by a single run. That was a sobering-enough warning to Hesson and his players of the perils of taking any team lightly, and Scotland in particular. “I think I’ve stated before, I think there will be number of upsets in this tournament and I think that if sides take any side lightly, they’ll get turned over,” Hesson said. [caption id=“attachment_2033607” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  New Zealand are favourites for the semis. Getty images[/caption] “We’ll certainly prepare and scout as best we can with Scotland,” he added. “We don’t have a heck of a lot of footage, but what we do we’ve got some good information. We’ll prepare as well as we do for any international.” Hesson bridled at the suggestion New Zealand might use a rotational selection policy in “lesser games,” although he acknowledged there might be changes to the team that beat Sri Lanka by 98 runs in its opening match Saturday. “We don’t define them as lesser games, to be fair,” Hesson said. “Scotland smashed Ireland and they’ve put a lot of sides under pressure so we’ll respect Scotland as much as we do every other opposition.” New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum was more blunt. “We’re not good enough to take any team for granted,” he said. “We’ve got to make sure we’re on our game and make sure we treat it as if we’re playing one of the bigger teams because at this World Cup … the associate teams have players who are capable of standing up and making things uncomfortable for you.” New Zealand allrounder Corey Anderson, who played in the closely-won warmup match at Lincoln, Christchurch, said there was risk in thinking any game at this tournament would be easy. “It’s a World Cup. You have to treat every game the same,” he said. “It’s obviously a cliche. But we probably got put in our place a little bit in Lincoln when they did give us a run. They showed us they have players who can play and bowlers who can bowl. “We don’t want to be two or three down early on, otherwise we’ll be chasing our tails. We’ll treat them as a very good side and go about our way.” Scotland captain Preston Mommsen said the experience of playing New Zealand late last year, and losing so narrowly, had reinforced his team’s confidence ahead of Tuesday’s match at the University Oval. “It gave us great confidence of taking a full member country playing very good cricket close,” the South African-born Mommsen said. “We take great confidence from that but we know we’ve got to start again on Tuesday. We’ve got to earn the right to take the game deep.” Scotland can’t disguise the deficit in experience between its relatively young team and New Zealand. Coach Grant Bradburn, the former New Zealand allrounder, pointed out that Daniel Vettori, with 287 one-day internationals, had played more ODIs than all of his squad combined. Scotland, along with Ireland and other associate teams face the prospect of exclusion from the World Cup when it becomes a 10-team competition in England in 2019. The team has a chance in Tuesday’s match and throughout the tournament to make plan the folly of that decision. “We were obviously very unhappy with that news,” Mommsen said “We’re trying to stay in this moment of 2015; obviously it’s a huge opportunity being here so we’re trying not to think too far ahead. “It’s is called a World Cup for a reason, because it’s a global event. You may as well call (at 10-team World Cup) the Champions Trophy No 2.” Squads: New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (captain), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Adam Milne, Luke Ronchi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Daniel Vettori, Kane Williamson. Scotland: Preston Mommsen (capt), Richie Berrington, Kyle Coetzer (vice-capt), Freddie Coleman, Matthew Cross, Josh Davey, Alasdair Evans, Hamish Gardiner, Majid Haq, Michael Leask, Matt Machan, Calum MacLeod, Safyaan Sharif, Rob Taylor, Iain Wardlaw. AP
World Cup, New Zealand vs Scotland as it happened: Kiwis beat Scots by three wickets
One of the World Cup contenders will be up against potential giant-slayers when New Zealand take on Scotland in what promises to be a precarious outing for the co-hosts in a preliminary cricket clash on Tuesday.
 "World Cup, New Zealand vs Scotland as it happened: Kiwis beat Scots by three wickets")
New Zealand won by 3 wkts with 151 balls to spare: this is the narrowest win with most balls to spare in ODI cricket history#NZvSco#CWC15
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) February 17, 2015
That’s it! New Zealand win by 3 wickets!
Vettori looks to pull a short ball but geta a top edge over first slip for a streaky boundary. New Zealand stuttered in the end but they got the job done inside 25 overs. The platform was laid by Boult and Southee while bowling. New Zealand kept losing wickets at regular intervals in search for quick runs but they did make sure they crossed the finish line. Scotland were rusty in the field with a couple of dropped catches. That might have probably made a difference.
OUT! Ronchi departs now. Is there a twist in the tale? L Ronchi c Gardiner b Davey 12 (10b 2×4 0x6). After 23.4 overs, New Zealand 137/7
Ronchi tries to finish it off quickly, after hitting a four, he flicks a fullish delivery on middle straight to deep mid-wicket where Gardiner makes no mistake. New Zealand 137/7, Need 6 more with 3 wickets in hand.
Adam Milne is the new batsman.
OUT! Wardlaw makes amends after that dropped catch. C Anderson c Wardlaw b Davey 11 (16b 1×4 0x6). After 23.2 overs, New Zealand 133/6 (Ronchi 8)
Anderson looks to pull a short of a good length delivery but gets a top edge to fine leg where Wardlaw takes a good running catch.
Daniel Vettori is the new batsman.
OUT! Elliott departs now. NZ stuttering at bit. G Elliott c Cross b Wardlaw 29 (31b 5×4 0x6) . After 21 overs, New Zealand 117/5 (Anderson 3)
Wardlaw gets his third wicket. Good length delivery outside off, moves away a tocuh. Elliott looks to push away from the body but gets an outside edge to the keeper. New Zealand still on course though as they need just 26 runs now. They muse make sure that there are no more slip-ups.
Luke Ronchi is the new batsman.
After 20 overs, New Zealand 110/4 (Elliott 23, Anderson 2)
New Zealand have been bogged down in the last five over. This has been a good fight back by Scotland. 19 runs from the last five overs for the loss of Williamson’s wickets.
OUT! A rare bad shot from Williamson. K Williamson c Cross b Davey 38 (45b 6×4 0x6). After 17.5 overs, New Zealand 106/4 (Elliott 22)
Length delivery outside off, Williamson dances down the track for a wild swing but gets an inside edge to the keeper. Not the shot you expect from Williamson but they are trying to make sure they can finish off the match quickly for a better run rate.
Corey Anderson is the new batsman.
After 15 overs, New Zealand 91/3 (Williamson 33, Elliott 12)
Cool and calm, Williamson is solid out in the middle. He is putting away the bad balls. Cashes in on a short one from Majid and carts it over mid-wicket for a boundary. Elliott then plays a couple of glorious shots for boundaries off Davey. A powerful cut and then a thumping drive. Williamson then sweeps Majid through square leg for another boundary. New Zealand making sure they aren’s bogged down after Taylor’s wicket. They need 52 runs from 35 overs.
OUT! Taylor departs after lunch. R Taylor c Taylor b Haq 9 (14b 1×4 0x6) . After 10.4 overs, NZ 66/3 (Williamson 23)
There is just one man in the deep on the leg side and Taylor picks up that man. Loopy and full on off, Taylor gets down for a slog sweep but gets a top edge to deep mid-wicket where Rob Taylor makes no mistake. A poor shot from Taylor!
Grant Elliott is the new batsman.
LUNCH BREAK: After 9 overs, New Zealand 63/2 ( Williamson 22, Taylor 6)
Despite the loss of McCullum, the scoring rate didn’t drop. Williamson is looking solid at the wicket and Taylor has startedit well. NZ will be looking to finish it off as soon as possible which will boost their run rate too. They need 80 more from 41 overs.
OUT! Wardlaw gets his second wicket. B McCullum c Cross b Wardlaw 15 (12b 3×4 0x6). New Zealand 48/2 after 7 overs. (Williamson 15)
Good length delivery outside off, nips back in a touch. McCullum stays in his crease and looks to steer close to his body but gets an outside edge to the keeper. He is livid with himself for playing that shot.
Ross Taylor is the new batsman.
After 5 overs, New Zealand 37/1 (McCullum 15, Williamson 5)
It seems as if New Zealand want to finish this off as early as possible. Guptill got three boundaries before he was dismissed. A flick over mid on, a powerful pull and then a cracking cut. McCullum then gets into the act with a lovely drive through extra cover. He gets a lifeline as he is DROPPED at deep square leg on his flick by Gardiner. A simple catch spilled. Williamson then punches one through covers for a boundary and McCullum hammers a couple of boundaries off poor short and wide deliveries from Wardlaw.
OUT! Wardlaw strikes early! Guptill departs. M Guptill c Cross b Wardlaw 17 (14b 4×4 0x6). After 2.4 oversm New Zealand 18/1 (McCullum 1)
Guptill was looking good with a couple of cracking fours off Wardlaw but then, he goes for a booming drive, the ball swings away and Guptill edges it it to the keeper. The would boost Scotland’s confidence somewhat.
Kane Williamson is the new batsman.
That’s it! SCOTLAND ALL OUT FOR FOR 142 IN 26.2 OVERS!
Vettori traps Wardlaw LBW. The umpire at first gives it not out but NZ take a review and replays confirm it was pad first and hitting the stumps.
OUT! Vettori gets another one. Majid departs. M Haq c Taylor b Vettori 0 (2b 0x4 0x6). After 36.1 overs, Scotland 142/9
A tad full on off from round the wicket, it’s flat and going straight on. Majid comes half forward for a prod but gets an outside edge to first slip where Taylor makes no mistake. Scotland falling apart.
Iain Wardlaw is the new batsman.
OUT! Lovely bowling from Vettori! R Taylor st †Ronchi b Vettori 4 (6b 0x4 0x6). After 35 overs, Scotland 135/8, (Davey 5)
It’s a flat delivery outside off which goes straight on with the arm, Taylor is drawn into the drive and he misses it. Ronchi is quick to clip the bails off and Taylor is still outside the crease.
Majid Haq is the new batsman.
OUT! Anderson gets another one. Cross is caught behind. MH Cross c Ronchi b Anderson 14 (18b 2×4 0x6). After 33.2 overs, Scotland 129/7
Another poor shot from a Scotland batsman. It’s a tad short and wide outside off, Cross chases it for a cut but gets an outside edge to the keeper. Scotland on a self-distruct mode.
Rob Taylor is the new batsman
After 30 overs, Scotland 118/6 (Cross 5, Davey 0)
Just when it seemed Scotland were getting into the groove. Both the seet batsmen have threw away theor wicket after fifties. Anderson has surprised with his pace and bounce and got both Machan and Berrington with bouncers. Cross and Davey again have to rebuild for Scotland. It was such a good recovery from Scotland but they are again in trouble.
OUT! Berrington throws it away! RD Berrington c Milne b Anderson 50 (80b 4×4 1×6). After 29.3 overs, Scotland 117/6 (Cross 5)
Anderson strikes with the short ball again. It’s short outside off, Berrington, just after getting his fifty, goes for the pull but gets a top edge to fine leg where Milne makes no mistake. A fine innings comes to an end.
Josh Davey is the new batsman.
FIFTY for Berrington!
Berrington gets to his 7th ODI fifty off 79 balls. Another crucial innings for Scotland. He leant good support to Machan when Scotland were in tatters. Five fours and a six in his innings so far. He needs to stay till the end.
OUT! Anderson gets the big one. Machan departs. M Machan c McCullum b Anderson 56 (79b 7×4 1×6). After 27.5 overs, Scotland 109/5 (Berrington 14)
Just the previous delivery, Machan stepped down the track and hammered Anderson through mid off for a boundary. This time Anderson bowls short, Machan looks to pull but is late on to it, he gets a top edge. McCullum runs from mid off towards mid on and pouches a good diving catch. A poor shot but a very good innings comes to an end.
Matthew Cross is the new batsman.
FIFTY for Machan!
Fifty off 71 balls. It’s been an extremely crucial innings from Machan so far. He came to the crease when the ball was swinging prodigiously but he seemed to be batting on a different wicket and played some cracking strokes. six fours and one six in his innings so far.
After 25 overs, Scotland 89/4 (Machan 49, Berrington 33)
Scotland have upped the ante in the last five overs. Machan and Berrington bring up their 50-run stand as Machen thumps one through extra cover for a boundary off Southee. Berrington follows suite and crashes one through extra cover off the same bowler. Machan then takes on Southee again as he pulls one over fine leg for a six and then cuts it powerfully through point for a boundary. Vettori, meanwhile, has been disciplined.29 RUNS OFF THE LAST 5 OVERS.
After 20 overs, Scotland 60/4 (Machan 32, Berrington 21)
No boundaries in the last five overs but the batsmen have looked confident. Vettori and Milne have bowled with good discipline. 13 runs have been scored off the last five. But Machan and Berrington don’t have many options after that early disaster.
After 15 overs, Scotland 47/4 (Machan 27, Berrington 14)
Scotland slowly recovering. 3 boundaries in the lst five overs. There have been the odd play and a miss from both the batsmen but Machan and Berington have done well so far. Milne drops one short and Berrington smashes it over point for a boundary. Machan then produces two cracking shots off the man of the moment – Boult. A cover drive and a straight drive for back-to-back boundaries.
After 10 overs, Scotland 22/4 (Machan 16, Berrington 2)
The wicket rut has finally stopped! After four wickets in the first five overs, Scotland haven’t lost a wicket in the next five. 10 runs added in that period. Machan is looking solid. The swing slowly diminishing. Machan pulled one off Southee through mid-wicket for a rare boundary. He seems to be playing on a different wicket altogether. 3 fours in his 16.
First 6 ov- 0 0 0 0 0 0, 1wd W W 0 0 0 0, 0 1 0 4 1 0, 0 0 4 0 0 1wd 0, W W 0 0 0 0, 0 0 1 0 0 1 - Boult and Southee on fire #NZvSCO #CWC15
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) February 16, 2015
After 5 overs, Scotland 12/4 (Machan 9, Berrington 0)
Scotland have been absolutely rocked by wonderful spells of swing bowling by Boult and Southee. Some of the deliveries have been unplayable. Three golden ducks so far. Machan has looked solid with a couple of boundaries. This could be carnige. Scotland need to rebuild desperately.
OUT! Southee is on a hat-trick now. Another golden duck. After 4.2 overs, Scotland 12/4 (Machan 9)
Full on off, it nips back in. Mommsen is late in getting his bat down as he looks to defend from the crease. It hits the pad first and then the bat. The umpire raises his finger on the appeal. Mommsen things that he’s hit it first and opts for a review but replays show it was pad first and going on to hit leg. Third golden duck for Scotland so far.
Richie Berrington is the new batsman.
OUT! Another one bites the dust! Coetzer departs. K Coetzer c Elliott b Southee 1 (10b 0x4 0x6). After 4.1 overs, Scotland 13/3 (Machan 9)
A soft dismissal, Full on middle and leg, Coetzer stays in his crease and flicks it uppishly, Elliott at mid-wicket shows good reflexes and pouches a very good catch. This is wonderful bowling from New Zealand.
Preston Mommsen is the new batsman.
OUT! Two in two for Boult. Gardiner departs for a golden duck. After1.2 overs, Scotland 1/2 (Coetzer 0)
Length delivery on off, it against swings in late aling with the seam movement. Gardiner is bamboozled by the inward movement and misses, gets hit on the back leg. The umpire takes a while to lift the finger. Gardiner doesn’t even ponder a review. Boult on a hat-trick now.
Matt Machan is the new batsman.
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