Ryder stars in consolation victory for New Zealand

Jesse Ryder made a half century and took three wickets as New Zealand beat India with almost 20 overs to spare in the fifth limited-overs international.

AUCKLAND // Jesse Ryder made a half century and took three wickets as New Zealand beat India by eight wickets with almost 20 overs to spare in the fifth limited-overs international on Saturday. Ryder took 3-29 as New Zealand dismissed India for 149, and he then scored 63 as the hosts surpassed India's total in 23.2 overs. Martin Guptill was 57 not out in a match reduced by rain to 43 overs per side. The win was consolation for New Zealand, who still lost the five-match series 3-1, with one match washed out. Rohit Sharma made 43 not out and Virender Sehwag 40 as India stumbled to 149, batting first after winning the toss. Yuvraj Singh, who made 11, was the only other Indian batsman to reach double figures and extras, which provided 18 runs, were the third highest score. Ryder ripped through the middle of India's order, dismissing Yuvraj and bowling both Mahendra Singh Dhoni (9) and Yusuf Pathan (0). After Sehwag had guided India to 69-2, taking his 40 runs from 27 balls with three fours and three sixes, the tourists' last eight wickets fell for 80 runs. Jacob Oram took 2-22 from nine overs, including Sehwag's vital wicket, and Iain O'Brien survived an early battering to take 2-43. New Zealand surpassed India's total in an easily-paced reply. Ryder reached 50 from 38 balls with four fours and four sixes and had put New Zealand well on the road to victory when he was out in the 15th over. Guptill confidently guided the final victory chase, scoring his half century from 49 balls with six fours and two sixes. He added 58 in an unbroken partnership with Ross Taylor (28 not out) for the third wicket. The win gave New Zealand some confidence heading into the three-Test series against India which starts at Hamilton on Wednesday. "India thoroughly outplayed us in the series but we're glad to come here tonight and get one back," the New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori said. "We're looking forward to the Test series. "It's going to be a great, competitive one and a three-Test series is something the New Zealand team has been looking forward to for a while." India's captain Dhoni said his team were looking to build on their series victory in the five-day games. "We're disappointed to have lost the last game, we could have done better. But the Test series will be great."

*AP