 Kiwis register resounding win against Ireland
10th Apr 2007 15:34 IST
Agencies
New Zealand joined Australia on maximum World Cup Super 8s points on Monday with a clinical 129-run victory over the amateurs of Ireland, who lost their last six wickets for only nine runs.
The victory makes it three out of three for New Zealand, which has already beaten West Indies and Bangladesh. The Kiwis are close to assuring themselves a place in the top four which means a spot in the semifinal.
Stephen Fleming's Black Caps had an 83 from opener Peter Fulton and a spirited eighth wicket stand of 71 between Brendon McCullum and bowler James Franklin to thank for their score of 261/8 after winning the toss at the Guyana National Stadium in Georgetown. For most of its innings, however, New Zealand struggled on a slow, lifeless wicket.
Ireland's spinners Kyle McCallan and Andrew White, with two wickets each, made life difficult for New Zealand's top order batsmen, who mistakenly tried to drive their way out of trouble on a slow wicket and found themselves dismissed cheaply.
In response, Ireland struggled at first under the raw pace of Shane Bond, who removed both openers cheaply, and then shone with an entertaining 75-run partnership between brothers Niall O Brien and Kevin O Brien.
The brothers took the score from 35/3 to 110 before fraternal communications collapsed and Kevin was run out as he thought Niall, the team's wicketkeeper, was attempting a quick single. Hamish Marshall's throw uprooted the stumps.
Kevin's departure prompted a collapse to 134 all out in the 38th over as New Zealand's spinners ripped through the remaining batsmen. Daniel Vettori ended with 4/23.
The defeat all but removes any chance of Ireland qualifying, although the amateur team will be delighted with having qualified for the Super 8s stage, posting a famous win over Pakistan.
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