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TECHNICAL EXPERTS . . . New Zealand coach Mike Hesson (left) and his Zimbabwean counterpart Dav Whatmore chat on the sidelines of their two teams’ ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 warm-up match in Lincoln, New Zealand, yesterday. — Getty Images

ZIMBABWE produced a good bowling display to reduce New Zealand to 157 for seven before their match was abandoned due to incessant rain at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln, New Zealand, yesterday.

It was Zimbabwe’s first official ICC 2015 Cricket World Cup warm-up match and having played against provincial sides in winning three of their games, this was always going to be their biggest team.

But the Zimbabweans were in control and only Martin Guptill, with a brisk century, was able to successfully negotiate the attack.

New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum won the toss and opted to bat first, but Zimbabwe struck as early as the first over with Tinashe Panyangara holding on to a return catch that got rid of the home captain for eight.

Panyangara was at it again as he had Kane Williamson caught by Craig Ervine at cover for six.

Ross Taylor and Guptill then combined to put up a 42-run stand as they attempted to lay a foundation for the innings, before Elton Chigumbura came into the attack to dismiss Taylor for 11.

Chigumbura, who creates a different dimension to the Zimbabwe attack each time he bowls, grabbed his second as Corey Anderson soon followed for a cheap six runs.

Zimbabwe kept taking wickets at regular intervals to disrupt New Zealand’s momentum and Tafadzwa Kamungozi dismissed Tom Nathan for nine and Hamilton Masakadza had Daniel Vettori caught behind for six.

Guptill held what was left of the innings together, reaching his hundred off 84 balls, but was dismissed by Sikandar Raza Butt soon after, before rain put paid to play.

Zimbabwe’s second and final ICC Cricket World Cup warm-up match is against Sri Lanka tomorrow at the same venue.

Scorecard

New Zealand — 157 for 7 in 30.1 overs (Martin Guptill 100; Elton Chigumbura 2/21, Tinashe Panyangara 2/28, Sikandar Raza Butt 1/0) — Zim Cricket.