Relief for Black Caps

The New Zealand Black Caps ended their 11-game losing run in one-day internationals thrashing Pakistan in Wellington to take a 1-0 lead in the six-match series. Seamer Tim Southee took a career best 5-33 as the tourists were skittled out for only 124 in 37.3 overs. The hosts easily reached their target with opener Jesse Ryder hitting 55 in 34 balls before departing with the score on 84. Hamish Bennett took 3 for 26 from eight overs. It was a welcome win for New Zealand after their recent troubles in limited overs cricket and the foundations were set by Southee. “It was a good performance, I think we bowled extremely well,” New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori said. “There was probably more in the pitch than we thought. Tim Southee set it up for us with how he swung the ball. So far in this whole Pakistan series he has bowled very well.”