The BLACKCAPS sealed qualification for the ICC World Cup Super Eight Series with a 148-run win over Kenya at St Lucia’s Beausejour Stadium.
Four BLACKCAPS batsmen made half-centuries as the New Zealanders posted an ODI ground and BLACKCAPS World Cup record 331 for seven batting first.
Stephen Fleming, Ross Taylor, Scott Styris and Craig McMillan all crossed the 50 threshold after Kenya captain Steve Tikolo won the toss and elected to bowl.
Ravi Shah posted an impressive 71, but the run chase failed to get into top gear. The Africans’ run rate never got close to the required 6.6, and they were dismissed for 189 in the final over.
Lou Vincent instigated two Kenyan run outs, with James Franklin, Michael Mason and Daniel Vettori taking two wickets apiece.
Vincent’s exemplary fielding alleviated any damage made by a first-over duck, caught by Tikolo in the slips off the fourth delivery of the game, bowled by Thomas Odoyo.
Fleming and Taylor upped the ante, enjoying a stand of 104 before the captain, on 60 from 61 balls, was run out when caught short by Collins Obuya.
Styris, who displayed his regained form with an unbeaten 87 against England on the same ground, set the tone with an early six en route to a run-a-ball 62.
A hamstring injury left Taylor requiring a runner, but he fought on to earn 85, the innings; top score, before falling caught and bowled, to Tikolo for 85.
McMillan thrashed three fours and five sixes for 71 from just 48 balls, ensuring the BLACKCAPS made 100 in the final 10 overs and taking them comfortably over 300.
A handy cameo from Daniel Vettori, with 14 from seven deliveries, gave extra edge to already imposing target.
Vincent and Mason accounted for both Kenyan openers, and Kenya slumped further to 29 for four.
Shah then put on stands of 47 and 46 with Collins Obuya (21) and Thomas Odoyo, who provided tail-end resistance with 42 before Franklin struck to remove Peter Ongondo in the final over.
The BLACKCAPS complete their Group C commitments against Canada on Friday (NZ time).
