Craig Ervine Was Simply Outstanding for Zimbabwe: Ross Taylor

Craig Ervine's maiden ODI hundred script a memorable win for Zimbabwe in Harare on Sunday. Ross Taylor, whose century went in vain for New Zealand, lauded the young Zimbabwean's effort and admitted that the World Cup finalists are under pressure in a series that should have seen them more comfortably placed. (Ervine Guides Zimbabwe to Stunning Win)

Craig Ervine and Hamilton Masakadza set up Zimbabwe's second-highest successful ODI chase of all time against New Zealand with a 120-run stand. The Kiwis rode Taylor's 112 and Kane Williamson's 97 to score 303 for 4, but were upstaged by Ervine's blitzkrieg.

The 29-year-old left-hander's previous best in ODIs was 85, but promoted to the number three position by coach Dav Whatmore, Ervine finished unbeaten on 130 from just 108 deliveries as the hosts chased more than 300 for just the second time in an ODI. From 32 previous ODIs, Ervine had made six half-centuries, but could not convert any of them into a hundred.

With 72 needed from the last 48 deliveries, Ervine and Elton Chigumbura did not panic. To win by seven wicket and with six balls to spare against a vastly experienced team was simply commendable.

"Maybe started believing that we could win in the last seven or eight overs," Ervine, who was named Man of the Match, said. "I thought if we could go at eight or ten an over and try to take it as deep as we can, we would always have a chance to go over the line. It was about taking it ball by ball and not thinking too much about the end result."

Taylor was impressed with the effort too.

"The way Ervine batted as well as Masakadza, they batted outstandingly well and took the game away from us. To get there with an over to spare was a very good effort," said Taylor.

"The way they manipulated the right-left combination and being able to put our spinners under pressure throughout the whole match played a big part. We will be better for the hit-out. We were a bit down on our fielding. We pride ourselves on our fielding and we let a few things through that we would normally stop on a good day," Taylor added.

New Zealand have been disappointing ever since making the World Cup final earlier this year. They lost a series 3-2 against England before the tour of Zimbabwe.

"Any time you go 1-0 down in a three-match series you are under pressure and Zimbabwe play very well at home," Taylor said after the loss. The second ODI will be played on Tuesday.

Going into Sunday's match, Zimbabwe had won just one ODI in 2015, and lost 10. They had also suffered defeat in 15 of their last 17 one-dayers in Harare, and were beaten by New Zealand in nine of their last 10.