In-form batsman Ross Taylor and opener Brendon McCullum fired the Black Caps into the World Cup quarter-finals with a thumping 97-run win over Canada.
New Zealand scored a mammoth 358 for six in their 50 overs and it proved too much for the minnows, who never challenged the target and ended on 261 for nine off 50 overs. Ashish Bagai (84) and Jimmy Hansra (70 not out) were involved in a 125-run fourth-wicket partnership, which gave the total some respectability after Canada lost two early wickets to Kyle Mills.
Stand-in captain Taylor said openers Martin Guptill and McCullum, who put on 53, gave the side a good platform.
“Our game-plan involves keeping wickets in hand. Our strength is our lower-order batting and the power that we have,” said Taylor.
A disappointed Bagai admitted his side never looked like chasing down New Zealand’s total.
“We never looked like getting 360,” said Bagai. “I think we lost it in the first half of the game.”
Kiwi batsmen whip hapless Canada
Earlier, Taylor came to the crease at 149 for two and injected urgency into the innings. In one devastating over he took 28 off Harvir Baidwan, smashing four sixes and a four. He made 74 off just 44 balls. McCullum was the mainstay of the innings, scoring 101 as New Zealand had few problems with the toothless Canada attack. Kane Williamson (34 not out) and Scott Styris (35) also joined in the onslaught before a stunning cameo of 31 from James Franklin off just eight balls boosted the total.
Davison was the pick of the Canadian bowlers, picking up one for 30. The victory takes New Zealand to the top of Group A with eight points.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 14th, 2011.
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