Associated Press

Hamilton, January 26:

Chris Cairns took six wickets for 12 runs and former All Black Jeff Wilson 3-6 as New Zealand beat a World XI by four wickets in a one-day match on Wednesday.

Cairns and Wilson combined for nine wickets from 9.5 overs as New Zealand bowled out World XI for only 81 on a fresh, green pitch.

New Zealand was equally taxed in favourable bowling conditions, struggling to its winning target losing six wickets in 15.2 overs.

The win gave New Zealand a 2-1 victory in the three-match series.

World XI made steady progress to 59-1 before Wilson and Cairns set nine wickets tumbling for 22 runs. Nick Knight stood against the onslaught, hitting six boundaries in an innings of 43.

New Zealand also made a steady start, reaching 44-2 before Ian Harvey captured four wickets to spark the home side’s collapse.

Harvey, 4-17, dismissed Nathan Astle, Matthew Sinclair, Scott Styris and Chris Cairns to leave New Zealand 65-6 before Hamish Marshall and Brendon McCullum eked out winning runs. Astle top-scored with 23. Styris, Stephen Fleming and Marshall all made 16.