Updated on
Summary Unbeaten openers Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum hit half-centuries to guide New Zealand to a crushing 10-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in Group A at the World Cup on Friday.
A disappointing Zimbabwe was limited to just 162 in 46.2 overs after Tim Southee led a potent New Zealand bowling attack with 3-29.The performance lined up Guptill (86) and McCullum (76) to finish the job in 33.3 unhurried overs with a total of 166-0. The display gave New Zealand its second victory in three games and put it back in the race for the quarterfinals.Zimbabwes second defeat from three matches, underlined by the failure of its spin attack to make any impression on the Black Caps batting lineup, leaves it almost certain to exit the competition.New Zealand is in action again on Tuesday against Pakistan at Kandy, Sri Lanka, while Zimbabwe faces Sri Lanka at the same venue two days later.
