NZ squeeze past Northants

One-day match, Northampton: New Zealand 253 (49.1/50 overs) beat Northamptonshire 241-8 (48/48 overs) by five runs (D/L)

Full scorecard

New Zealand were run close for their second win of the weekend, clinching a five-run verdict over Northants.

A middle order of Jacob Oram (50), Chris Cairns (46) and Brendon McCullum (58) scored the bulk of the runs as the tourists posted 253 all out.

Seamer Adam Shantry, 21, took career best figures of 5-37 for the hosts.

And a below-strength side fell just short of a revised total of 241 in 48 overs after Martin van Jaarsveld (102) and Gerard Brophy (57) starred.

Daniel Vettori, who had hoped to test a hamstring tear, did not feature in the Black Cap XI.

And skipper Steven Fleming chose to rest a groin injury, leaving Cairns to stand in as captain.

New Zealand open the tournament against England on Thursday in a day-night match at Old Trafford.

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Northamptonshire: T W Roberts, J W Cook, M van Jaarsveld, U Afzaal D J G Sales (Capt), G L Brophy, T M B Bailey (Wkt), C J R Jennings A J Shantry, C G Greenidge, J F Brown.

New Zealand: M H W Papps, N J Astle, H J H Marshall C L Cairns (Capt), B B McCullum (Wkt), C D McMillan, J D P Oram C Z Harris, J E C Franklin, D R Tuffey, I G Butler.