Cricket: New Zealand post mammoth total

Brendon McCullum of New Zealand bats during game three of the One Day International series between New Zealand and Zimbabwe at McLean Park in Napier. Photo / Getty

The Black Caps batting order picked up where they left off in Whangarei, as a century from Brendon McCullum helped them post 373-8 against Zimbabwe in Napier today.

The total, coming three days after their mammoth 372-6 saw New Zealand easily claim the second ODI, put the hosts firmly in the box seat to sweep the series against the unranked African side.

McCullum capitalised an a solid opening foundation to lead his side to their highest ever score on New Zealand soil, breaking the record set on Monday.

Opening pair Martin Guptill and Rob Nicol again had New Zealand off to a rollicking start at McLean Park, coming on the back of their 131-run partnership in the second ODI. And Zimbabwe were again giving their hosts a helping hand in the field, with Nicol dropped on 10 in the third over.

The Cantabrian proceeded to make Zimbabwe pay and, when the Black Caps raced to 83 without loss in the opening 10 overs, New Zealand's total of 372 at Cobham Oval was beginning to look like it was only a warm-up.

The Black Caps brought up 150 in the 22nd over, with both openers passing 50 and the eyes of most fans fixed on the record books. But just when the cricket almanacs were being cracked open Zimbabwe struck a double blow to remove Nicol and Guptill in consecutive balls.

Nicol was trapped in front by Prosper Utseya for 63 and, with the crowd still digesting Jacob Oram's elevation to No 3 for the second straight game, Guptill was also sent packing. He fell for 85 after losing his balance and being stumped off the bowling of Ray Price, marking a consistent series for the Aucklander who hit 70 and 77 in the first two matches.

All of a sudden, New Zealand's momentum was stalled and an inevitable period of consolidation followed. They went without a boundary between the 21st and 27th overs, with Oram's promotion looking less worthwhile this time around.

That was confirmed in the 30th over when he tried to guide a Kyle Jarvis delivery to third man but succeeded only in playing on and departing for 25. Despite the setbacks, the Black Caps were still firmly on target for a formidable total, bringing up their 200 in the 32nd over.

McCullum and Kane Williamson continued that inexorable march with an 84-run partnership for the fourth wicket, before Williamson missed a straight one from Elton Chigumbura and was given out LBW for 38.

Nathan McCullum joined his brother at the crease as the New Zealand 300 was posted in the 45th over - an over which brought 26 runs and raised the possibility of a total in excess of 400. That prospect suffered a blow when Nathan McCullum was caught for 21 from seven balls but his younger brother soldiered on, making the most of yet another grassed catch when on 48 to bring up his fourth ODI century.

McCullum was caught on the last delivery of the innings to finish on 119 off 88 balls, as the Black Caps took 121 runs from the final 10 overs to all but clinch the clean sweep.