ICC World Cup 2019, road to semi-final: New Zealand

New Zealand, along with their semi-final opponents India, were undefeated in the league stage until they met more than their match in a mercurial Pakistan team that had defeated the hosts England earlier in the tournament but had gone cold since then.

Losses to Australia and England followed, but a washed-out clash against India earlier and easy wins against Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, as well as hard-fought ones over West Indies and South Africa, meant that New Zealand finished ahead of Pakistan on net run rate despite having the same number of points – 11. Here’s how New Zealand made the final four.

Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, June 1: Beat Sri Lanka by 10 wickets

Fast bowlers helped New Zealand get off to a good start in their World Cup campaign as they shared seven wickets between them to bowl out Sri Lanka for 136. Martin Guptill (73) and Colin Munro (58) then hit unbeaten half centuries to help New Zealand romp to the target in just 16.1 overs and begin their World Cup with a convincing win.

The Oval, London, June 5: Beat Bangladesh by 2 wickets

Bangladesh tested New Zealand in the next match. After restricting the Bangladeshi batsmen to 244 courtesy 4/47 by Matt Henry and 2/44 by Trent Boult, New Zealand looked on their way to an easy win. But panic struck in the middle when the partnership between Kane Williamson (40) and Ross Taylor (82) was broken. New Zealand slipped from 160/2 to 218/7, losing Taylor too in the slide. Mitchell Santner’s 12-ball 17 took them home with 2.5 overs to spare and 2 wickets in hand.

Taunton, Somerset, June 8: Beat Afghanistan by 7 wickets

New Zealand had an easy outing against Afghanistan, who were playing only their second World Cup. Jimmy Neesham (5/31) and Lockie Ferguson (4/37) made short work of the Afghanistan batting, bowling them out for 173. Williamson (79*) and Taylor (48) then shared a 89-run third-wicket stand to make up for the bad start and take the team home with 7 wickets in hand and 17.5 overs to spare.

Trent Bridge, Nottingham, June 13: Match abandoned against India without a ball bowled

Edgbaston, Birmingham, June 19: Beat South Africa by 4 wickets

After the match was reduced to 49 overs per side due to a rain delay, South Africa got to 241/6 on a damp, slowish pitch as New Zealand won the toss and chose to field. Ferguson got 3/59 even as Rassie van der Dussen top-scored with 67.

New Zealand then slid to 80/4 before captain Williamson (106*) came to their rescue again, sharing a 57-run stand with Neesham (23) and added a further 91 runs with Colin de Grandhomme (60) enroute to his first ton in the World Cup. He finished the match with a last-over six.

Old Trafford, Manchester, June 22: Beat West Indies by 5 runs

After a humdinger against South Africa, New Zealand were in for more examination against the West Indies. Williamson (148) got his second century in a row as New Zealand scored 291/6 after being asked to bat. Taylor chipped in with 69 runs. West Indies lost 2 wickets upfront but Chris Gayle (87) and Shimron Hetmyer (54) kept them in the hunt. But all hope seemed to be lost when they slipped to 164/7.

Then rose Carlos Brathwaite (101 off 82, 9 fours, 5 sixes), hitting his maiden ODI ton, that too in a high-pressure World Cup clash, taking his team to within touching distance of an improbable win. He fell on the last ball of the 49th over as Boult took a spectacular catch at the rope to keep New Zealand’s unbeaten run alive.

Edgbaston, Birmingham, June 26: Lost to Pakistan by 6 wickets

The winning run was finally halted by Pakistan, who chased down 238 with five balls to spare and kept their World Cup campaign alive. Neesham’s 97 and de Grandhomme’s 64 carried New Zealand to 241/4. Williamson got 41. Babar Azam’s maiden World Cup hundred then helped Pakistan stroll to the target. He hit 11 fours in his knock of 101 off 127 balls and was supported by Haris Sohail’s 68.

Lord’s, London, June 29: Lost to Australia by 86 runs

New Zealand suffered back-to-back defeats when Australia, boosted by Usman Khawaja’s 88 and Alex Carey’s 71, posted 243/9 after being 92/5, and then bowled out their trans-Tasman rivals for 147, courtesy Mitchell Starc’s 5/27. The New Zealand batting lineup failed collectively: barring Williamson (40) and Taylor (30) no other batsman could spend time at the crease and attempt to build an innings.

Chester-le-Street, Durham, July 3: Lost to England by 119 runs

New Zealand finished their league stage with a heavy defeat to England as Jonny Bairstow (106 off 99) led England to 305/8. He was helped by opening partner Jason Roy (60) and Eoin Morgan (42).

In reply, New Zealand were bundled for 186 even as Tom Latham, who hadn’t been in the best touch throughout the tournament, gained some form with 57 runs off 65 balls. He found little support at the other end, and New Zealand had to rely on the result of the Pakistan-Bangladesh game to be sure of their place in the semi final.