The New Zealand cricketers continued re-sculpting how the game is perceived in this country with a 143-run dismantlement of the West Indies in last night's World Cup quarter-final.
The record-equalling ninth consecutive ODI victory takes them into their seventh World Cup semi-final in 11 editions.
Led by Martin Guptill's unbeaten 237 from 163 balls, New Zealand marmalised the West Indian bowling attack to make 393 for six, the country third highest ODI innings. A squadron of willing hitters supplemented Guptill's lead, including Grant Elliott's 27 off 11 balls. Guptill and Elliott showed their intent with 55 for the fifth wicket in 19 balls.
The batting was reinforced by a thorough bowling and fielding performance led respectively by Trent Boult with four for 44 and 36-year-old Daniel Vettori channeling 'Air Jordan' on the boundary at 3rd man with a one-handed leap to dismiss Marlon Samuels. Boult returned to the top of the tournament wicket-taking charts with 19 as the West Indies were dismissed for 250.
Samuels had an unfortunate match. Guptill drove a boundary to start the game but survived a scare third ball. He clipped a low catch off Jerome Taylor to Samuels at square leg; the spill cost 233 further runs.
No West Indies bowling tourniquet could stem the flow as they struggled to hit competitive lengths. Darren Sammy (8-0-38-0) was the only bowler to concede less than a run a ball. Jerome Taylor took three wickets but went for 71 from seven overs.
Guptill's achievement once occupied the figment of cricketers' imaginations, but 30,268 packed into the waterfront amphitheatre can vouch it was real.
Guptill became the:
• first New Zealander to make a double century in an ODI.
• second highest scorer in an ODI behind Rohit Sharma's 264.
• highest run-scorer in an innings at a World Cup (overtaking Chris Gayle's 215).
• first New Zealander to score consecutive centuries at a World Cup.
• the highest scorer in a World Cup knock-out match.
The delirious crowd found their rhythm with the chant of "Mar-tin Gup-till". He deserved every bit of adulation in his 7th and most memorable ODI ton.
West Indies heads lowered and shoulders slumped as the innings progressed, including captain Jason Holder, who at times struggled to get his players' attention as demoralisation seeped in.
Guptill's steely temperament was perfect for the ruthless contest. He joined himself, Ross Taylor (twice) and Mark Greatbatch as New Zealanders to have scored consecutive ODI centuries. He gave sustained catching practice to the crowd in the latter stages but three scything square cuts provided the best gauge to his early form as the ball kissed the electronic hoardings backward of point. His head was stiller than anything you might see carved on Mt Rushmore when bowlers approached.
New Zealand's clinical approach with a view to reaching the 35th over with three wickets or less down again proved profitable. At that point they were on 187 for two, moments after Guptill brought up his first century in 111 balls. His second took 41.
The West Indies highlight was Chris Gayle's stoic 61 off 33 as he braved chronic back pain. He appeared to take the Bob Marley's 'get up, stand up' to heart when it aired over the PA. Efforts to tire him in the field by batting first were largely unfounded. Gayle used his bottom hand to maximum effect with eight sixes and two fours to minimise running between the wickets. He took 21 off a Vettori over, but Adam Milne eventually enticed him to chop on.
New Zealand convincing display wasn't entirely unpredictable. On current form they were expected to dominate, but to this extent? Extraordinary.
It was further evidence that uncharted New Zealand cricketing territory is within their grasp.
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