Published: Mar 21, 2015, 03:23 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 21, 2016, 03:15 PM (IST)
New Zealand opener Martin Guptill (237* off 163) stole the show at WestpacTrust Stadium in the fourth quarter-final match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 against West Indies on Saturday. He smashed the West Indies bowlers all around the park as New Zealand routed West Indies by a massive 143 runs to enter the semi-final of the tournament. (In Pictures: Moods and Moments from New Zealand vs West Indies, Wellington)
Earlier, New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first. As Jason Holder spoke in the press conference, they would fight fire with fire; they got Brendon McCullum (12) out cheaply before he got going. But when the captain fails, it is time for others to step up. Martin Guptill did that mightily as he became the first New Zealand player to score a double hundred and also broke the highest individual score record in a World Cup, set by West Indies Chris Gayle (215), just a few weeks back. He made full use of the second chance given to him after being dropped in the first over and stayed at the crease from the start to the end, unbeaten and played some fantastic shots; hitting 24 fours and 11 sixes. His 143 runs partnership with Ross Taylor (42) was crucial in the middle while a cameo from Grant Elliott (27 off 11) helped the Kiwis post an intimidating total of 393 for six in 50 overs. Only Jerome Taylor (three for 71) and Andre Russell (two for 96) picked up wickets for West Indies but they were immensely expensive. (New Zealand vs West Indies: Pick of the tweets)
In front of a full house, the BlackCaps had the golden chance to enter their seventh semi-final and well, they didn’t disappoint. West Indies weren’t in the mood to go down without a fight but kept losing wickets at regular intervals which limited their chase. Chris Gayle (61) top scored for them but he couldn’t hang on till the end to get them over the line. All the other batsmen had starts but no one stood at the crease to chase the score intelligently. The late onslaught from captain Jason Holder (42) helped them to put up some runs on the board but were eventually bowled out for 250 in 30.3 overs. Trent Boult (four for 44) was in a different league in the match as he became the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 19 wickets; in the 30 odd overs bowled, he completed his quota of overs. Daniel Vettori (two for 58) and Tim Southee (two for 82) picked up few wickets but went for runs; Vettori, however, was mighty on the field as he took a superb one-handed catch at the boundary line to dismiss Marlon Samuels.
Martin Guptill was awarded the man-of-the-match for his record breaking double century. With the win, New Zealand entered the semi-final stage and will play against South Africa on Tuesday while Australia faces India in the second semi-final on Thursday.
Brief Scores:
New Zealand 393 for six in 50 overs (Martin Guptill 237*, Ross Taylor 42; Jerome Taylor 3-71) bt West Indies 250 all out in 30.3 overs (Chris Gayle 61, Jason Holder 42; Trent Boult 4-44) – by 143 runs
