Guptill powers Kiwis into semis
Print Edition
THE International Cricket Council will be hoping the semifinals of its showcase World Cup tournament are a bit closer than the quarterfinal results.
The fourth elimination match yesterday was a lot like the first three. Martin Guptill made 237 not out — the highest score by a New Zealander and the second-highest for all nations in one-day internationals — in leading his team to 393-6 as it batted first against the West Indies in Wellington, New Zealand.
Trent Boult backed up the opening batsman’s feat by taking four for 44 to move to the top of the tournament wicket-takers list with 19 as the West Indies folded for 250 in the 31st over.
The West Indies kept up with the required run rate, reaching 200 in the 25th over, but by then they were already seven wickets down.
Chris Gayle, shrugging off the effects of a long-standing back injury, cracked 61 off 33 balls, including eight of the 31 sixes in the match as batsmen on both sides plundered the short boundaries.
The unbeaten Kiwi side will play South Africa in the first semifinal on Tuesday in Auckland.
Guptill, dropped on four by Marlon Samuels, followed his 105 against Bangladesh eight days ago with New Zealand’s first one-day double century — breaking his own record (189 not out) for New Zealand’s highest score and Gayle’s recent record of 215 for the highest individual score in a World Cup match.
“It’s a pretty cool feeling,” Guptill said. “Quite a tough pitch to start on, but once you get in the runs come fairly easily.”
In the other quarterfinals this past week, South Africa strolled past Sri Lanka by nine wickets, India easily defeated Bangladesh by 109 runs and Australia had little trouble in beating Pakistan by six wickets.
Australia and India will play on Thursday in Sydney in the other semifinal.
The final is scheduled for March 29 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. India is the defending champion while Australia has won the title four times.
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