BLACKCAPS preserve winning run

Lou Vincent’s century and Brendon McCullum’s rapid 50 were the highlights as the BLACKCAPS completed a 114-run win over Canada to top ICC World Cup Group C.

Vincent returned to form with 101, while McCullum brought up his half-century in 20 balls - a competition and BLACKCAPS record - as part of their side’s 363 for seven.

Captain Stephen Fleming contributed a second successive half-century with 66, while Peter Fulton’s run-a-ball 47 and 28 from just 17 balls by Scott Styris boosted the run rate.

Having posted 331 against Kenya 48 hours earlier at St Lucia’s Beausejour Stadium, the New Zealanders plundered Canada's bowling attack to extend their best-ever World Cup batting performance.

Spinners Daniel Vettori and Jeetan Patel then led the bowling figures with three wickets each, with the Canadian response ended at an impressive 249, eventually succumbing in the 50th over.

Canada captain John Davison led the way with his own quick fire 50, from just 23 deliveries, while a couple of New Zealand-based players Ian Billcliff (50) and Geoff Barnett (40) made contributions.

Davison won the toss and sent the Kiwis in to bat, with Peter Fulton recalled to the starting XI, alongside Patel and Daryl Tuffey.

And Vincent led the way with 101, his maiden ODI century of the season.

Vincent had gone for a pair of ducks in the two previous games. However, after a nervous maiden opening over from veteran Anderson Cummins, he got off the mark emphatically with a six over extra cover.

From then on, the Kiwis did not look back. Vincent and Fleming (66) put on 142 for the first wicket in 21 overs before Billcliff caught the captain at short midwicket.

Fulton, Styris and Craig McMillan (10) added to the total before expert closers McCullum and Oram entered the fray.

The wicketkeeper produced a typically rapid knock, his unbeaten 52 becoming the BLACKCAPS’ quickest ODI half-century, while the left-hander hit three sixes for 35 off 17 balls.

The imposing target may have been too much for Canada, but a strong top order showing ensured they posted a strong total – eventually accruing their highest World Cup innings.

Openers Barnett and Davison combined a 76-run stand, with Billcliff and Ashish Bagai (37) supplementing their efforts.

Their run rate never hit the required 7.26, but they stood well placed at 188 for two in the 35th over before the wickets began to fall.

The BLACKCAPS now have a week to prepare for their opening match of the Super Eight Series, against their West Indian hosts, in Antigua, and go to the game in strong form having won their last six official ODIs.