The contrasting performances of Rob Nicol and Jacob Oram were at the forefront of captain Brendon McCullum's delight as New Zealand trounced Zimbabwe by 141 runs in the second ODI in Whangarei on Monday.

Hosting its first ever international match, Cobham Oval witnessed the second century of Nicol's burgeoning career and the explosive hitting of Oram, with the Kiwis ultimately amassing 372 for six. Martin Guptill also put in a half-century at the helm of the order and Tom Latham enjoyed a late-innings cameo of 48 as Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor's decision to bowl first on a very flat track backfired entirely.

The visitors' reply was useless, ending at 231 for eight, with 63 and 50 from Elton Chigumbura and Tatenta Taibu not nearly enough in the face of Oram's three wickets and a brace fellow seamer from Kyle Mills.

McCullum, standing in for Ross Taylor after the regular skipper was ruled out of the series with a calf injury, cherished his decision to promote Oram up the order. Batting at three for the first time in almost a decade, the hard-hitting all-rounder clouted 59 runs from just 28 balls, including five fours and four sixes. His hefty contribution to a quickfire 77-run stand alongside Nicol for the second wicket cashed in on Nicol and Guptill's 131-run alliance at the top of the knock.

"The start that we had was so good, it gave us an opportunity where we could put Zimbabwe away tactically as well," enthused McCullum, who earlier called for the batting Powerplay at the turn of the 24th over. "It gave Jacob an opportunity to get into the game with the bat, which he hasn't been able to do for a while.

"All the stars kind of aligned and, with the short boundary on the left-hander's side and the wind going away, it felt like the right option. And with being able to take the Powerplay at that time again, we felt like we might be able to get their seamers back early. If not, we felt Jacob would be able to tear into their spinners."

Sporting a mere three ODI tons for his 197 innings, McCullum heralded Nicol's second ton in just five matches as "sublime". The 28-year-old, who last year impressed with 108 not out on debut against the same opposition, went as large as 146 from just 134 deliveries on Monday. With 10 fours and six sixes to show for his outstanding 134-delivery stay at the crease, the right-hander landed the fifth highest ODI score by a New Zealander.

"To have been able to play the role that Nicol did, with the way Martin was going at the start, and to be able to get Martin on strike and read the situation as well he did. Once Martin left, he worked well with Jacob and then kicked on from there," added McCullum.

"It was a brilliant innings. It was Rob's second ton in not many games and it has shown his ability to step up from domestic cricket. He has a real presence on the international stage so very excited for him."

Left with an insurmountable two-nil deficit in the three-match series, the Zimbabweans face a tough task in avoiding a series whitewash come the final ODI at McLean Park in Napier come Thursday.