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Dean Brownlie in action for the Black Caps. - Source: Photosport -
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Brendon McCullum was betwixt and between in describing today's 90-run win over a hapless Zimbabwe in the first ODI.
On one hand, his side put another international opposition to the sword and would have won by more than 100 runs if it hadn't been for a nuggety cameo from Zimbabwe's Ray Price (26) at No 10, but on the other, the Black Caps were far from perfect and it was just Zimbabwe - the world's 10th ranked team.
Scoring 248 on a deck that had something in it for the bowlers was always going to be enough, but that total was moderate, not dominant, even after being 4-2 after eight balls.
McCullum had talked with all the gusto and confidence of the man he normally is with bat in hand.
But after today's one-sided victory, the wicketkeeper-batsman was well short of swinging from the rafters with excitement.
And well he should be: Zimbabwe are a one-man side, and on New Zealand pitches, the gulf in class is huge.
"If you look at the fact we scored 250 and they scored 160, then it was pretty clinical," he said.
"But if you look at the nuances of the game then I'd probably say there were some rough edges we have to sort out."
Martin Guptill continued to look like a batsman in the peak of his powers, but missed a straight one on 70.
The rest of the total was made up of cameos by batsman guilty of throwing away starts.
The five middle-order batsmen from No 4 to No 8 all scored between 19 and 35 and all got out needlessly.
Kyle Mills and Rob Nicol grabbed seven wickets between them while Tim Southee was his normal attacking self and Andrew Ellis, on debut, and Doug Bracewell contained the opposition well.
McCullum heaped praise on the three debutants, but said the side would need to improve if they were to dominate at the levels he thinks they should be.
"A couple of guys managed to get in and get some runs, but if you look at the way the innings panned out there were regular wickets barring one or two partnerships.
"No-one really set the world on fire today. There were a few soft dismissals, but we managed to score a match winning score."
The Black Caps' standards are high with a much tougher series against South Africa getting ever closer.
McCullum said Zimbabwe would grow in confidence because their showing was much better than the one in the one-off test in Napier.
"They'll come back with a bit more confidence than they had coming into this game."
It would likely all come down to one man, however.
The Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor scored 58 and again looked the only player capable of footing it with the Black Caps.
Shingirai Masakadza picked up four wickets too and while he was the best of the touring bowlers, the New Zealand batsmen helped him out with poor shots.
"A lot rests on Brendan Taylor's shoulders and he has the ability to take a game away from you.
"He's a world class player and from their point of view, they'll be looking at trying to build a bit of support around him."
