Scotland lose by one run to New Zealand XI in Lincoln

Scotland's Matt Machan made 83 runs from 86 balls in Lincoln

Scotland lost by one run in a thrilling World Cup warm-up friendly against a strong New Zealand XI in Lincoln.

Kiwi Test captain Brendon McCullum (52) and Corey Anderson (53) led the way as the hosts made 263 from their 50 overs.

Matt Machan top scored for the Scots with 83, while Hamish Gardiner (54) and Freddie Coleman (56) both made fifties.

Scotland's final pair of Majid Haq and Alasdair Evans needed 21 runs from 18 balls for victory, but the latter was run out on the final delivery.

Two runs were needed from the last ball of Scotland's fourth tour match, but the experienced McCullum was able to run with ball in hand to clip the bails at the non-striker's end for the narrowest of home wins.

"It was a good challenge for us against what was a near a top line side and I'm very proud of the boys," Scotland head coach Grant Bradburn told BBC Scotland.

"We played some excellent cricket but couldn't quite do enough to get over the line."

Evans was run out off the final ball of the innings, with two runs needed for victory

The Scots were facing a New Zealand side packed with international experience, including spinner Daniel Vettori - a veteran of 112 Tests and 275 one-day internationals - who has not played a full international since June 2013 but is bidding to prove his fitness ahead of the World Cup.

The visitors were chasing just seven runs from the final over but could not find them against the bowling of left-arm seamer Mitchell McClenaghan.

"There was an air of confidence," admitted Bradburn. "But, under pressure, the Black Caps showed their skill.

"So we will look back on opportunities lost, perhaps our catching wasn't quite as accurate as we would expect.

"But we will take a lot of confidence from knowing we can compete and compete well."

Richie Berrington took 3-66, while Iain Wardlaw, Evans and Haq each claimed two wickets.

"That was the best bowling effort we've had since I've been here," added Bradburn.

"We put the ball consistently in good areas and challenged the New Zealand batsmen throughout the innings. We took wickets through the middle which continually put pressure on them."

Veteran left-arm spinner Vettori has been hampered by injuries in recent years