Wellington, March 21 (IANS) An incredible unbeaten knock of 237 from opener Martin Guptill fired New Zealand into the cricket World Cup semifinals with a massive 143-run victory over the West Indies at the Wellington Regional Stadium here on Saturday.
Powered by Guptill's double century, the Black Caps posted a monumental 393/6 in 50 overs before bowling out the Windies for 250 with 19.3 overs to go.
The New Zealand innings had Guptill written all over it after captain Brendon McCullum (12) opted to bat. The right-hander broke several records with his sparkling knock which came in only 163 deliveries and included 24 boundaries and 11 sixes.
The 237 not out is now the highest individual World Cup score beating Chris Gayle's 215 which came earlier in the tournament against Zimbabwe. It is also the second highest One-Day International (ODI) score after Rohit Sharma's 264.
The 28-year-old from Auckland is the first New Zealander to score back-to-back Cup hundreds, following his 105 against Bangladesh in a Pool A game at Hamilton on March 13.
Guptill also broke the record of the highest ODI individual score by a New Zealander when he went past his own 189 not out which came two years ago against England at Southampton.
The double century helped the Black Caps post the highest World Cup knockout score, going past Australia's 359/2 in the 2003 final against India.
All this came after Marlon Samuels dropped Guptill at square leg when he was batting at four.
Guptill's innings was purely about clean hitting and no slog shots, not even in the death overs. His ability to score straight down the ground helped the co-hosts hammer 153 runs in the last 10 overs.
Ross Taylor (42), Kane Williamson (33) and Grant Elliot (27) also played significant cameos as Guptill went about his business.
The Windies bowlers did not have much to boast about as all went for more than six per over. Jerome Taylor (3/71) and Andre Russell (2/96) were the only ones to pick up wickets but both went for more than 9.6 runs per over.
Chasing the huge target, the two-time champions kept scoring at a high run rate of over eight per over. However, they lost wickets throughout their innings and no batsman rose up to play the anchor's knock.
The only 50-plus partnership came during the third-wicket stand between Chris Gayle (61) and Marlon Samuels (27). The former smashed eight sixes and two boundaries in his 33-ball knock before being bowled by Adam Milne (1/42).
The only other notable contribution came from down the order from captain Jason Holder, who hit a 26-ball 42 which included five fours and two sixes.
The West Indies kept their record of never chasing down a 300 plus-target and have now lost all four matches played here.
New Zealand pacer Trent Boult was the pick of the bowlers as he notched fantastic figures of 10-3-44-4 to become the highest wicket-taker of the 2015 World Cup with 19 scalps. Other than Boult, all other Kiwi bowlers proved expensive, going for more than 8.9 per over.
New Zealand will now take on South Africa in the first semifinal at Eden Park, Auckland, on Tuesday.
Brief scores: New Zealand 393/6 in 50 overs (Martin Guptill 237 not out; Jerome Taylor 3/71) vs West Indies 250 in 30.3 overs (Chris Gayle 61, Jason Holder 42; Trent Boult 4/44).
30th day of the attack on Ukraine: NATO's entry in the war for the first time, Biden said in the summit - if Russia uses chemical weapons, we will not answer Ukraine
Today is the 30th day of the Russia-Ukraine war. US President Joe Biden addressed the NATO summit in Brussels on Thursday on this crisis. Biden said NATO would respond if Russian President Vladimir
President Draupadi Murmu honored 27 NRIs: Shivraj apologized with folded hands on the second day as well, and said – forgive us if there is any inconvenience
The 3-day Pravasi Bharatiya Sammelan concluded on Tuesday in Indore. On the last day of the event, President Draupadi Murmu honored 27 overseas Indians who have done excellent work in various fields.
Now you too can get an oxygen concentrator for your use from abroad, the center has given permission
The second wave of Corona has seen a tremendous increase in the demand for oxygen in the country. Many patients lost their lives due to a lack of oxygen. Meanwhile, the Government has amended the
North Korea threatens to shoot down American reconnaissance planes, 'a nuclear war may break out'
North Korea on Monday accused the US of violating its airspace with reconnaissance planes and threatened that such planes could be shot down. According to North Korea's state news agency KCNA, a
UP Police Paper Leak: Big action by the Yogi government, the Chairman of the Recruitment Board was removed, now she has the responsibility
Yogi government has taken major action in the UP Police recruitment exam leak case. The chairperson of the UP Police Recruitment Board has been removed. Recruitment Board Chairperson Renuka Mishra has
Realme GT Neo 2 Launch: Realme launched Realme GT Neo 2 smartphone, it will compete with
Realme GT Neo 2 Smartphone: Smartphone company Realme has finally launched its much-awaited smartphone Realme GT Neo 2. This smartphone has been launched in the market with two variants. For
Kerala: Assembly passes bill to remove Governor from the post of Chancellor of universities
The Kerala Assembly on Tuesday passed the Universities Laws (Amendment) Bill to remove the governor from the post of chancellor of universities in the state and appoint other eminent educationists.
IND vs AUS 3rd ODI: The Indian team will go into the third ODI with this playing 11! this player can be out
IND vs AUS 3rd ODI Predicted Playing XI Team India. Today the third and final ODI between India and Australia will be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. According to Indian time, the
Flag hoisting at Ram Temple: With the push of a button, the flag was hoisted atop the temple, leaving Modi emotional; saints and sages were seen wiping away tears.
The flag hoisting ceremony at the Ayodhya Ram Temple was completed. With the press of a button, PM Modi hoisted the flag, slowly ascending to its peak. As the flag ascended, PM Modi gazed intently at
Hollywood actor Johnny Depp's victory: Ex-wife Amber Heard will give compensation of Rs 116 crore, and Heard will also get Rs 15 crore as damages
A Virginia court on Wednesday ruled on the ongoing defamation case against Hollywood actor Johnny Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard. Johnny Depp has won in this 6-week-long trial. Depp will receive a
