Cricket: Williamson shines in Black Caps win

An improved top-order batting performance laid the base for New Zealand's 86-run cricket win over Indian side Maharashtra in Darwin yesterday.

The Sri Lanka-bound Black Caps are playing three warm-up one-day matches in Darwin, and were less than convincing with a nine-run win their opening game on Monday.

Opener Martin Guptill and youngster Kane Williamson, batting at No 4, were the standouts yesterday. The pair played a major role in New Zealand's 319 all out from 50 overs, Guptill's 87 from 94 balls mirrored almost exactly by Williamson's 86 from 94.

Opener BJ Watling couldn't reproduce the form which saw him top score on 55 in the first match, and was gone for 11 with the score on 16.

But Guptill built solid partnerships with captain Ross Taylor (39) and Williamson to put the innings back on track, although there was little to impress in middle and lower orders as the last six New Zealand wickets fell for 103 runs.

Williamson also featured with the ball, picking up 3-23 in a touch over six overs, as New Zealand worked through nine bowlers and bowled Maharashtra out for 233 in the 47th over.

In support, allrounder Jacob Oram finished with 2-16 off four overs, while Andy Mckay picked up 2-10 off five.

The teams play again on Friday before New Zealand head to Sri Lanka for a Tri-Series also involving India.

New Zealand 319 (Martin Guptill 87, Kane Williamson 86, Ross Taylor 39; Samad Fallah 3-75) beat Maharashtra 233 (Digamber Wagmare 53, Harshad Khadiwale 49, Ganesh Gaikwad 37; Kane Williamson 3-23)