STATISTICS: A summary of Twenty20 statistics and milestones following the Twenty20 International series win over Zimbabwe.
Prior to this series New Zealand had scored just one century partnership in 42 Twenty20 internationals. But Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill scored successive opening partnerships of 127 unbeaten and 120 to help propel New Zealand to a 2 - 0 series win.
As well as featuring in all three of New Zealand's century partnerships, Brendon McCullum has also shared in 21 of the 32 half-century partnerships scored.
The importance of McCullum performing well to New Zealand's team success is further illustrated by the following stats:
- McCullum has played 42 Twenty20 Internationals for the BLACKCAPS of which 19 have been won, three tied and 20 lost.
- In the 19 wins he has scored 654 runs (ave 54.50) at a strike rate of 139.15 with 6 50's.
- In the 20 losses he has scored 457 runs (22.85) at a strike rate of 115.99 with just 2 50's.
- In the 3 ties he has scored 134 runs (67.00) at a strike rate of 176.31 but this included his 116 not out off 56 balls against Australia.
In the second Twenty20 international the McCullum brothers featured strongly in the BLACKCAPS fielding effort. While Nathan finished with three wickets, between them they featured in seven dismissals with Nathan taking two catches off his own bowling while Brendon picking up two catches, completing one stumping (off Nathan's bowling) and assisted with the two run outs.
The 45 runs conceded by Prosper Utseya in the second Twenty 20 is the second most expensive three over spell against the BLACKCAPS, trailing only Umar Gul's 3-0-47-0 for Pakistan at Hamilton last season.
In all BLACKCAPS Twenty20 cricket Chris Martin has the most expensive three over analysis conceding 50 for Auckland against Canterbury in 2005-06.
Zimbabwe's total of 123-8 in the first T20 is the lowest total within the full 20 overs to include an individual half-century in all New Zealand's T20 internationals. In fact there has been only one total lower in New Zealand dometic cricket with Steven Croft scoring 55 in an Auckland total of 121-against Otago in 2008-09.
* Statistics courtesty of Euan West
