Kiwis into Super Eight with 148-run win

WORLD CUP: New Zealand advanced to the Super Eight on Tuesday, with Ross Taylor’s 85 leading the Black Caps to their highest World Cup total in a 148-run win over Kenya.

Taylor struggled late in his innings with a hamstring strain and needed a runner. He did not field.

Skipper Stephen Fleming (60), Scott Styris (63) and Craig McMillan (71 from 48 balls) also contributed half centuries to help New Zealand to 331 for seven.

Kenya was dismissed for 183 in the last over, with recalled pace bowler Michael Mason taking 2-29 and James Franklin 2-20 for New Zealand. “It was a professional performance,” Fleming said. “We had a nervous start but we got into the game quickly and never gave them any opportunity to cause us any tension or pressure.”

Having secured four points against its two main rivals, New Zealand can now take it easy in its final group game against Canada on Thursday - a match Taylor will be rested for, a team spokesman said.

Kenya’s chase was interrupted by two rain delays and hampered by poor batting and sharp New Zealand fielding - Lou Vincent was responsible for two of the three run outs, which made up for him failing to score while opening the batting for the second consecutive match.

It could have been 12 for two but Taylor was dropped by a diving Tamray Mishra and he and Fleming punished that mistake, putting on 105 runs for a second-wicket stand.

Fleming was undone taking a needless single soon after, run out by Maurice Ouma from square leg. Taylor hit six fours but strained his right hamstring in the 32nd over and needed Vincent as a runner. Daryl Tuffey replaced him in the field.

Taylor only lasted 10 more deliveries before popping a return catch to Steve Tikolo. He also added 87 runs with Styris, who led New Zealand to its six-wicket win over England last Friday.

GROS ISLET, St. Lucia, AP