New Zealand’s biggest win in World Cup

New Zealand recorded their biggest victory in terms of wickets in World Cup by beating Kenya by 10 wickets at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai on Sunday (February 20).

It was New Zealand’s fifth perfect 10 victory in limited overs international cricket. New Zealand’s previous biggest victory in terms of wickets in World Cup was nine wickets which was recorded on thirce, against Sri Lanka at Nottingham on June 9,2003, against South Africa at Johannesburg on February 16,2003 and against Bangladesh at North Sound on April 2,2007. ** ** New Zealand’s 10-wicket win was seventh perfect 10 win in 305 World Cup matches. West Indies and South Africa achieved two 10-wickets victories each while India and Sri Lanka recorded one 10-wicket win each in World Cup before New Zealand.

** As many as 141 runs were scored for the loss of 10 wickets in 31.5 overs which was the lowest ever match aggregate in one day international matches played on Indian soil. It was second shortest completed match in India after India and England match at Chandigarh on Janaury 27,1985. Only 30 overs,15 overs a side,  were bowled in this match.  

** Kenya’s total of 69 as by far their lowest in World Cup games. It was their first under 100 total in 24 games. They lasted 23.5 overs, which was the lowest for them. Their previous lowest in one day internationals was 84 in 35.3 overs against Australia at Nairobi on September 2,2002 while their lowest in World Cup was 104 in 35.5 overs against West Indies at Kimberley on March 4, 2003. It was also the fifth-lowest total in World Cups. Canada’s 36 against Sri Lanka in 2003 is the lowest.

** For the first time in a World Cup match, New Zealand dismissed a team for less than 100. The previous lowest against New Zealand in a full 50-over match had been  Bangladesh’s 116 in 37.4 overs at Chelmsford on May 17, 1999.

** New Zealand won the match with 252 balls to spare, which was their most comprehensive World Cup win – and the   third-best for all teams in World Cups – in terms of balls remaining. Overall, it was New Zealand’s second-most emphatic win after 10-wicket win over Bangladesh at Queenstown on December 31,2007 with 264 balls to spare.

** Hamish Bennett recorded his best bowling in one day internationals by taking four for 16 bettering four for 46 he had achieved against Pakistan in his previous one day international match at Eden Park, Auckland on February 5, 2011.

** Hamish Bennett also became the first New Zealander and 16th bowler overall to take four or more wickets while playing for the first time in a World Cup match.

** Ross Taylor became New Zealand’s 19th and 194th player overall to play 100 or more matches in limited overs international cricket.