HARARE, Aug 31: New Zealand secured a place in the final of the triangular series with a workmanlike 27-run win over Zimbabwe on Wednesday. The Kiwis scored 238 and dismissed Zimbabwe for 211 in 49 overs. Zimbabwe’s third consecutive defeat in the tournament also confirmed India as New Zealand’s opponents in Tuesday’s final.

Half-centuries by New Zealanders Nathan Astle and Scott Styris and seven wickets shared by Zimbabwe’s Gavin Ewing and Andy Blignaut were the highlights of a dull match. New Zealand went through the motions in their innings, while the Zimbabweans were more intent on batting out their 50 overs than challenging for victory.

It was the best performance of the season so far by the struggling Zimbabweans, who lost both tests to New Zealand by an innings and were thrashed by 192 runs by the Kiwis and by 161 runs by India in their first two triangular series matches.

Off spinner Ewing had taken just two wickets at a cost of 182 runs in his previous five one-day internationals.

But he tied New Zealand down effectively on Wednesday and was rewarded with figures of three for 31. Ewing was well supported by fast bowler Blignaut, who took four for 46.

Ewing came on to bowl in the 21st over, and took his first wicket in the 29th when Astle cut hard and was well caught by wicket-keeper Tatenda Taibu.

Astle’s dismissal for 61 ended a fifth-wicket stand of 62 he shared with Styris.

Ewing completed his haul in consecutive overs when he trapped a reverse sweeping Jacob Oram in front for five and took a return catch offered by Brendon McCullum, who scored two. New Zealand sank to 149 for seven in the 35th over.

Styris steadied the innings with Daniel Vettori in an eighth-wicket stand of 79 that ended in the 48th over when Vettori was caught on the cover boundary by a diving Brendan Taylor off Blignaut for 47.

Two balls later Blignaut bowled Styris for 63.

In reply, Zimbabwe stumbled to five for two in the sixth over and to 93 for six in the 35th.

Stuart Carlisle propped up an end for 87 balls for his 30, which included a solitary four, and Vusi Sibanda’s bright 21 came off 30 balls.

The most entertaining feature of the innings was a seventh-wicket stand of 63 runs scored off 42 balls by Charles Coventry and Blignaut.

Coventry clipped 35 off 21 balls, while Blignaut’s 50 off 47 deliveries was Zimbabwe’s top score.

Blignaut cut express bowler Shane Bond over third man for six in the 48th over to reach his half-century.

Bond dismissed Blignaut and Blessing Mahwire with consecutive deliveries to finish with four for 17.

SCOREBOARD