Zimbabwean batsman Sean Williams celebrates after beating New Zealand. Photo / AP
The great run at the Cricket World Cup has quickly faded to a distant with the Black Caps losing their opening ODI against Zimbabwe.
1) First Bangladesh, now this
Does New Zealand drop its guard against the minnows, or do they lift against us? The Black Caps are cricket's new
darlings and ranked third in the world, having wowed the nation and beyond in the way they made the World Cup final. Yet seventh ranked Bangladesh has wood on the Kiwis, having won the last seven against New Zealand on home soil. The 11th ranked Zimbabweans, who are just above last placed Afghanistan, have won nine of 36 one day matches against New Zealand.
2) What World Cup glory?
If the World Cup feel-good factor started to slip away during the disappointing tour of England, it's turned into an avalanche with this defeat.
3) Double acts
Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor are the classiest three-four double act New Zealand has had. Taylor - who scored an unbeaten century - tied Nathan Astle for most overall centuries for New Zealand, a mark Williamson will surely beat. Taylor has hit a purple patch since battling in the World Cup, today becoming the first Black Cap to score four one-day centuries in a calendar year (and yes it's only August).
On the other side of the ledger, New Zealand's bowling is second rate without Trent Boult and Tim Southee. Matt Henry, Mitchell McClenaghan and Jimmy Neesham went 149-0 combined from their combined 25 overs.
