New Zealand rout West Indies by 143 runs to make it to semi-final of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
New Zealand rout West Indies by 143 runs to make it to semi-final of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
Martin Guptill’s tremendous double hundred was the focal point of the game as New Zealand registered thumping 143-run victory against West Indies in the fourth quarter-final of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 at Wellington. New Zealand entered World Cup semi-final for the seventh time in 11 editions. With the first semi-final being held between New Zealand and South Africa, there will be a new World Cup finalist for the first time since 1996. Full Scorecard: New Zealand vs West Indies, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 quarter-final
Chris Gayle did what he does best, hammering 61 off just 33 balls with two fours and eight sixes — including three off three balls of Daniel Vettori’s first over — and West Indies briefly looked like they might cause New Zealand some heartburn. But a combination of wonderful swing bowling from Trent Boult and a once-in-a-million catch by Vettori ensured that West Indies lost wickets at regular intervals.
Johnson Charles was bowled by Boult for three, while Lendl Simmons edged Boult behind to Martin Guptill for 12. Gayle and Marlon Samuels then added 53 in less than four overs before Vettori pulled off quite possibly the catch of the World Cup. He held on to one-handed catch at deep backward point off Boult as Samuels was left shaking his head in disbelief. His 27 came off 15 balls, with three fours and a six. Live Updates: New Zealand vs West Indies, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 quarter-final
Denesh Ramdin followed in the very same over, missing an in-swinger from Boult to give him his fourth wicket, thereby making Boult the leading wicket-taker of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. Jonathan Carter joined Gayle and the duo added 40 before Adam Milne got Gayle to play on for a typically belligerent 61. With Gayle’s dismissal, any hopes of a West Indies upset was put to rest.
Darren Sammy slogged his way to 27, Andre Russell hit 20, and Jason Holder pulled out a few big shots as well, but they were never in the game after losing half their side inside 20 overs. In the end, that West Indies managed to go past Guptill was an achievement in itself; albeit not one they would be particularly proud of. Top 10 batsmen in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
Earlier, Guptill took New Zealand to a commanding 393 for six. Guptill’s innings was so belligerent that Brendon McCullum’s failure hardly mattered to the Black Caps’ run rate. He rode his luck, having been dropped on four by Marlon Samuels in the very first over of the match — a chance that cost West Indies the small matter of 233 runs!
For once, Guptill out-scored McCullum in their opening stand, though as usual McCullum’s innings came at a strike rate of over 150. The hallmark of Guptill’s batting was his strokeplay straight down the ground. He started off with a straight drive, and targeted the “V” repeatedly throughout his innings. Meanwhile, McCullum hit a four and a six, and looked to add to his tally of boundaries by stepping out and launching Jerome Taylor over covers. The resultant top edge would have fallen safe of most fielders, but Jason Holder used his height and reach to great effect to hold on to a superb catch running backwards. Top 10 bowlers in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
Kane Williamson, in at No. 3, was fluent from the start, striking five boundaries in his 35-ball 33. He was dismissed against the run of play, slapping a wide ball from Andre Russell to Chris Gayle at short cover. That brought in Ross Taylor, and ushered in a productive period of play for New Zealand.
Though Taylor was not quite at his best, he gave Guptill excellent support as the duo added 143 in just over 22 overs. Taylor hit just two boundaries in his 42 off 61 balls, but New Zealand were not hampered at all since Guptill was playing the innings of his life at the other hand. Taylor was run out after a misunderstanding with Guptill, but that did not hamper the opener in the slightest. Top 10 fielders in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
Corey Anderson came in and played a few shots, but was out for 15. Grant Elliott the proceeded to hit a few sixes of his own — scoring his 27 at a strike rate of over 200 — as the West Indians were left running for cover. Guptill broke records galore, becoming the first New Zealander to score an ODI double century, getting the highest score by a New Zealander in World Cup, and also the highest score in a World Cup knockout match. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Complete Coverage
Brief scores:
New Zealand 393 for 6 in 50 overs (Martin Guptill 237*, Ross Taylor 42; Andre Russell 2 for 96, Jerome Taylor 3 for 71) beat West Indies 250 in 30.3 overs (Chris Gayle 61, Jason Holder 42; Trent Boult 4 for 44) by 143 runs.
Man of the Match: Martin Guptill
(Shiamak Unwalla, a reporter with CricketCountry, is a self-confessed Sci-Fi geek and Cricket fanatic. His Twitter handle is @ShiamakUnwalla)