NZ make 311 for seven in 6th ODI against Pakistan

Auckland, Feb 5 (AP) Jesse Ryder hit six sixes in aninnings of 107 to lift New Zealand to 311 for seven, battingfirst in today''s sixth one-day international against Pakistan.

Ryder, batting at No. 3 after Brendon McCullum waspromoted to open, reached his second ton century from 82 ballsafter Pakistan won the toss and sent New Zealand in to bat.

Scott Styris and Nathan McCullum then smashed fifities ina 120-run stand for the sixth wicket, taking 71-runs from thelast five overs, to ensure New Zealand passed 300.

McCullum made 65 from 50 balls with seven fours and threesixes, falling to penultimate ball of the innings, and Styriswas left 58 not out from 44 balls after running out Kyle Millson the final ball.

The pair helped revive New Zealand''s innings which hadfaltered after Ryder was out at 190-5 in the 36th over, havinghit seven fours and six sixes from 93 balls.

The home side managed only 50 runs in the next 10 oversas Pakistan slowed their run-rate with accurate bowling fromUmar Gul, Abdul Razaaq and captain Shahid Afridi.

New Zealand were 240 for five when they took the battingpower play after 45 overs, looking unlikely to reach 300.

McCullum and Styris then transformed the innings, battering 11runs from the first powerplay over, 13 from the second, 19from the third and 14 from the fourth and fifth.

Afridi, who was confirmed yesterday as Pakistan''s WorldCup captain -- winning that role ahead of Test captain Misbahul-Haq who was omitted from today''s lineup -- employed unusualbowling and fielding combinations during the powerplay.

Abdul Razzaq, who took 2-23 as his most economicalbowler, was not used, nor was veteran Shoaib Akhtar. Instead,Afridi used left-armer Sohail Tanvir who had been heavilypunished by the New Zealanders earlier in the innings and whoconceded 78 runs from his eight overs.

Afridi also kept five fieldsmen inside the circle on theoff-side and only one on the leg side, behind square.

The placement meant McCullum and Styris were able to takefull advantage, as Ryder had earlier, of the short boundariesat Eden Park. They were able to flat-bat the ball over theshort off-side field or down the ground and to work regularsingles and twos through the unpatrolled leg-side.

Ryder''s innings, which came as a confidence boost after apoor series, gave New Zealand''s effort early solidity. He puton 123 for the second wicket with Martin Guptill (44) afterNew Zealand had lost Brendon McCullum for 12.

Ryder reached his half century from 34 balls andcontinued scoring at a similar pace, though he batted throughthe latter part of his innings with a runner.

Captain Ross Taylor and all-rounder James Franklin wereout cheaply but Styris and McCullum were able to reassert NewZealand''s dominance. McCullum reached his half century from 45balls and Styris from 40 balls.

Pakistan have an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the six-matchseries. (AP) AH