Lara too good for Kiwis : CRICKET

Brian Lara scored 72 as the West Indies overcame New Zealand in the second of three one-day internationals in Wellington yesterday. Comfortable winners by 41 runs, the tourists take the series, having beaten the home side on run rate in the first game, which was disrupted by rain.

New Zealand soon dismissed the openers, Sherwin Campbell and Stuart Williams, after winning the toss and putting the West Indies in to bat. But Lara and Keith Arthurton then took charge, pushing the score to 95 before Arthurton was run out for 30. Lara made the game's top score before he was run out, as the tourists reached 246 for 7.

The New Zealanders made a steady start, with Brian Young making his side's top score, 39, but the middle order were unable to accelerate, despite the best efforts of Dipak Patel, the former Worcestershire all-rounder. The Kiwis were all out for 205 in 48.5 overs. The last match in the series will be played in Christchurch on Saturday.

ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL (Wellington): West Indies 246 for 7 (50 overs; B C Lara 72); New Zealand 205 (48.5 overs). West Indies won by 41 runs and lead three-match series 2-0.