New Zeeland won by 129 runs

10/04/2007

New Zealand beat Ireland by a huge 129-run margin in their Super Eight match at Guyana on Monday.

Chasing 264 to win, Ireland was bowled out for 134 in 37.4 overs with Daniel Vettori picking up four wickets for just 23 runs from 8.4 overs. Barring some resistance by the O'Brien brothers none of the other Irish batsmen could face up to the clinical performance by the Kiwi bowlers.

Earlier, New Zealand overcame a mid-innings crisis, to post 263 for eight after skipper Stephen Fleming won the toss and elected to bat. They were bailed out from a tight spot with a timely 70-run partnership between Brendon McCullum and James Franklin for the eighth wicket.

Peter Fulton was adjudged Man of the Match for his 83 at the top of the New Zealand innings.

Score : New Zeeland 263/10 in 50 overs (Fulton 83, McCullum 47, Franklin 34, McCallan 2/35, Smith 2/41, White 2/45) Ireland 134/10 in 37.4 overs (K O Brien 49, N O Brien 30, Vettori 4/23, Bond 2/18, Patel 2/32)