The Hindu : Sport : Kiwis storm into semifinals with a clinical win

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 16, 2007
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Kiwis storm into semifinals with a clinical win

St. George's:

New Zealand secured a place in the World Cup semifinals Saturday, reaching 196 for 5 to beat South Africa by five wickets.

The Kiwis had restricted their opponents to 193-7 in the Super 8s game at Grenada National Stadium before passing their target with 10 balls to spare.

New Zealand's bowlers benefited from more favorable conditions than in Thursday's six-wicket loss to Sri Lanka and its fielding hugely improved.

The South Africa pace attack of Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini and Andre Nel troubled New Zealand early on, but the Black Caps re-grouped from 42-2 as the pitch dried out under hot Caribbean sunshine.

Scott Styris, who hit 111 against Sri Lanka, passed 50 for the fifth time in the tournament to make 56 and captain Stephen Fleming was twice dropped on the way to his 49th one-day half-century.

Craig McMillan hit 38 not out to follow the three wickets he took in South Africa's innings as New Zealand took their time reaching the target.

While New Zealand joined Australia in the semifinals, South Africa must now beat England in Barbados on Tuesday to be sure of place in the last four.

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