2nd Castle Challenge ODI in Harare: New Zealand 261 for 6 (Guptill 105, McCullum 87) beat Zimbabwe 259 for 8 (Taylor 107*, McKay 4-53)

New Zealand sealed the Castle ODI series with a four wicket victory against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club on Saturday –the win gives the visitors a 2-0 lead with one match to be played in Bulawayo on Tuesday.

1st Castle Challenge ODI in Harare: New Zealand 232 for 1 (Nicol 108*, Guptill 74) beat Zimbabwe 231 for 6 (Taylor 128*, Mutizwa 69, Bracewell 3-55) by nine wickets

This first ODI in the Castle Challenge  between Zimbabwe and New Zealand resembled, for Zimbabwe, an unpleasant one.  There was one superb partnership under high pressure between Brendan Taylor and Forster Mutizwa that rescued Zimbabwe from a truly disastrous start to their innings, only for their bowlers to follow it with another poor performance that allowed the opposition to make light of their target yet again.

Alistair Campbell has stepped down from his position as chairman of selectors  with immediate effect.

Since his appointment to the post in July 2009, Campbell has had the dual responsibilities of both convener of selectors and chairman of the ZC board's cricket committee. He expressed the desire to concentrate on his activities with the Cricket Committee as well as his work as a cricket commentator.

2nd Econet T20I in Harare: New Zealand 187 (Guptill 67, B McCullum 64) beat Zimbabwe 154 (Chibhabha 65, N McCullum 3-23) by 34 runs under D/L method

It was a batsman’s day at Harare Sports Club for the second and final Twenty20 match and, when Zimbabwe looked likely to suffer another heavy defeat, Chamu Chibhabha led a thrilling assault on the bowling so that the home side could at least go down with all guns blazing and lose with honour.