June 13, 2008	Friday	Jamadi-us-Sani 08, 1429

WORCESTER (England), June 12: Brendon McCullum scored a century off 83 balls as New Zealand beat Worcestershire by 95 runs in a one-day warm-up match at New Road here on Wednesday.

All-rounder Scott Styris (3-25) then sparked a Worcestershire collapse which saw the hosts decline from 98 without loss to 127 for five before they were bowled out for 263 despite 80 from captain Vikram Solanki.

McCullum’s 123 was the centrepiece of New Zealand’s 358 for eight in 50 overs and came just two days before the lone Twenty20 fixture against England at Old Trafford – the prelude to five One-day Internationals.

The total, made against an attack minus rested England quick Simon Jones, fell just short of the record 50-over score on the ground of 365 for seven made by Worcestershire against Scotland last season.

Top-order batsman Ross Taylor made 75 as New Zealand, the World Cup semi-finalists, did their best to put a 2-0 Test series defeat against England behind them.

Wicket-keeper McCullum, an opening batsman in one-day cricket, scored two sixes and nine fours on his way to a hundred before he holed out for 123.

Meanwhile, New Zealand coach John Bracewell said teenage quick Tim Southee’s ankle injury, sustained in training on Tuesday and which kept him out of this game, was not a serious as first thought.

Summarised scores:

NEW ZEALAND 358-8 (Brendon McCullum 123, Ross Taylor 75; C D Whelan 4-78); Worcestershire 263 (Vikram Solanki 80; Scott Styris 3-25).—AFP