Minnows Scotland made a disastrous start to their World Cup campaign with the loss of four early wickets against New Zealand Tuesday, with the Black Caps attack missing two hat-trick opportunities.
New Zealand's decision to bowl first paid early dividends as the Scots were left teetering at 12 for four in the fifth over.
Pacemen Trent Boult and Tim Southee both had the chance to snatch hat-tricks against Scotland, who did not win a match during their two previous World Cup campaigns in 1999 and 2007.
Boult trapped Calum MacLeod lbw with a sharply turning inswinger then dismissed Hamish Gardiner next ball with an almost identical delivery.
The Black Caps loaded the slips cordon as Matt Machan came to the crease but Boult's search for a hat-trick proved fruitless when he fired his delivery off target.
Southee then dismissed Kyle Coetzer when he drove the ball straight to Grant Elliott at mid-wicket and claimed the scalp of skipper Preston Mommsen lbw for a golden duck.
With the home crowd chanting as Southee steamed in, South African-born Richie Berrington defended calmly to deny another hat-track opportunity.
Source: AFP