Brendan Taylor Bows Out With Sublime Century

Zimbabwe's Brendan Taylor signed off from international cricket with a sublime century as Zimbabwe ran up 287 against India in Auckland.

Stand-in skipper Taylor smashed 138 off 110 balls with 15 boundaries and five sixes in his eighth ODI century – the highest number scored by any Zimbabwean.

It was Taylor's second successive hundred at the tournament but it was too late to save Zimbabwe as their defeat last week to Ireland had ended their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.

India, who are already through to the last-eight, where they will face Bangladesh in Melbourne on March 19, sprinted to shake the hand of Taylor playing his last international before he takes up a three-year English county deal with Nottinghamshire.

Sean Williams added 50 off 57 balls with three boundaries and three sixes as Zimbabwe set India a stiff challenge to maintain their 100% record in Pool B.

"It was nice to get partnerships (of 93 for the fourth wicket with Williams and 109 for the fifth with Craig Ervine) and build some momentum, but I reckon we are about 30-40 (runs) short," said the 29-year-old Taylor.

"Anything over 300 would have been definitely competitive, especially when you know what you are up against. We feel we're a bit short there in the end."

Meanwhile, in Hobart, Mitchell Starc bagged 4-14 as Scotland were bowled out for 130 in just 25.4 overs in the World Cup Pool A clash with Australia.

Starc’s pace proved too potent as he moved top of the tournament's wicket-takers list with 14, while fellow seamer Pat Cummins returned 3-42.

Matt Machan hit a 35-ball 40 but six of his team mates returned single digit scores in an abject collapse that underlined the gulf separating the sides.

After winning the toss, Australia made early in-roads as Starc removed Kyle Coetzer for an 11-ball duck, Steve Smith pouching the chance at third slip.

The left-armer struck again in the seventh over when Calum MacLeod, who struck five boundaries in his 22, picked out David Warner at backward point.

Five of Scotland’s batsmen fell for ducks, including skipper Preston Mommsen, who top-edged a short delivery from Shane Watson to deep square leg.

After 11.1 overs Scotland were in the mire at 51-5 but Machan added a measure of respectability by standing firm to hit 40 off 35, including six boundaries.

When he fell to Cummins, Josh Davey (26) and Michael Leask (23 not out) put up some resistance before light rain forced the teams off the field after 25 overs.

Starc took little time wrapping up the innings on the resumption, bowling Davey and Iain Wardlaw in four balls with pitched-up, swinging deliveries.
(Sky News)