New Zealand have stormed into the semi-finals of the Cricket World Cup with a comprehensive 143-run victory over West Indies in Wellington this morning.
The star of the show was undoubtedly Black Caps batsman Martin Guptill, who hit a record-breaking unbeaten score of 237 to help his side on their way to an impressive 393-6 from their innings.
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West Indies needed to conjure up a big response if they were to overcome that hefty target, and despite putting up a good fight they still fell some way short having recorded 250-10 from 30 overs.
A shaky start to their spell at the crease saw Johnson Charles depart for just four runs, leaving his stumps exposed for Trent Boult to bowl him out which put New Zealand well in command of the tie.
Next to fall was Lendl Simmons (12), who also failed to rack up the runs required when he was caught out by Kiwi hero Guptill, before Marlon Samuels (27) was sent packing by Daniel Vettori.
That led to Denesh Ramdin coming in to partner Chris Gayle, although he lasted just three balls before Boult pinned him lbw with a straight ball to leave the Lions on 80-4 at this stage.
Gayle was a serious injury doubt heading into this last-eight fixture, but he showed no signs of ill health as he top scored for his side with 62 from 33 balls. He was bowled out by youngster Adam Milne which essentially ended any hopes Sri Lanka had of overcoming the hosts.
Darren Sammy (27), Jonathan Carter (32) and Andre Russell (20) failed to pile on the runs as victory drew closer and closer for New Zealand, with the wickets of Jerome Taylor (11) and Jason Holder (42) concluding the inevitable outcome as Guptill's double century proved far too much for the Sri Lankans to overcome.
New Zealand will now face South Africa in the final four of the competition.
Daniel Lewis
