Cricket World Cup 2015 Results: Score and Odds After New Zealand vs. West Indies

Martin Guptill bagged the highest ever score in the history of the Cricket World Cup as New Zealand crushed the West Indies by 143 runs at Eden Park in the fourth quarter-final.

The opener struck a phenomenal unbeaten 237 from 163 balls, as the Black Caps posted a whopping 393/6 from their 50 overs. Guptill received little support from his team-mates, but he accelerated magnificently throughout his innings to set up an almost impossible chase for the Windies.

The size of the task became even more significant for the Caribbean islanders as Trent Boult tore through the top order with an exemplary display of new ball bowling. Despite a brisk 61 from Chris Gayle, the West Indies fell 143 runs short of their victory after being bowled out for 250.

Here’s the completed semi-final line-up after another engrossing last-eight encounter, how this lopsided result affects the tournament odds and a closer look at the Black Caps’ latest victory.

Upcoming Schedule

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ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Fixtures

Semi-Finals

Mar. 24 Semi-final 1, South Africa vs. New Zealand, Auckland (1 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 26 Semi-final 2, India vs. Australia, Sydney (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Final

Mar. 29 Final, Melbourne (4:30 a.m. BST) 

Schedule courtesy of BBC Sport.

Odds

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Tournament Odds

Team	Odds
Australia	11/8
South Africa	3/1
India	9/2
New Zealand	9/2

Odds courtesy of Oddschecker.com and accurate as of 11:40 a.m. (GMT), Mar. 21

Record Guptill Innings Sets Up New Zealand Victory

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New Zealand (393/6) beat the West Indies (250) by 143 runs

Martin Guptill’s stunning unbeaten 237 ensured New Zealand sashayed to victory in their quarter-final match against the West Indies, setting up an enticing semi-final showdown with South Africa.

The opener was there throughout the duration of the 50 overs, putting together an extraordinary knock while others around him faltered.

His magnificent late flurry pushed New Zealand on to an intimidating total of 393/6 and when Trent Boult—who took four for 44—blitzed his way through the West Indies top order with the ball, the game was secure. Chris Gayle briefly threatened a response, but once he was dismissed for 61 the Windies’ chances were extinguished.

Getting the win here will come as a source of great relief to the co-hosts. As noted by Freddie Wilde of ESPN Cricinfo, they don’t typically fare too well in knockout matches:

"

#NZ in WC knock out record (most recent first): L W L L L L L L #WI in WC knock out record (most recent first): L W W W W W W #CWC15 #NZvWI

— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) March 21, 2015"

Brendon McCullum has typically been the aggressor at the top of the New Zealand batting order, so to see Guptill notch such an extraordinary score is pretty peculiar. Indeed, while the opener played very well to make it to his century off 111 balls, there was little indication of the barrage that was to come late on.

As we can see here courtesy of ESPN Cricinfo, the acceleration in his innings was very special indeed:

"

Martin Guptill 0-50: 64 balls 51-100: 47 101-150: 23 151-200: 18 #acceleration #CWC15 http://t.co/Hx30cP4Vx6

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 21, 2015"

It could have been so, so different for the West Indies, though. Guptill was actually dropped on four off just the third ball of the innings by Marlon Samuels. As noted by Ireland player Kevin O’Brien, it was a faux pas that cost his team big time:

"

That Samuels drop wasn't to expensive!!! 😁😁😁 #Guptill #NZvsWI

— Kevin O'Brien (@KevinOBrien113) March 21, 2015"

Indeed, aside from Guptill’s world-record innings, New Zealand’s batsmen failed to gather much more initiative. Ross Taylor was the Black Caps’ next most prolific player with 42, meaning Samuels’ drop seemed all the more costly for his team.

But credit must go to the batsman, who capitalised with distinction. As we can see here courtesy of Sky Sports Cricket, his innings even surpassed the staggering 215 scored by Gayle against Zimbabwe earlier in the competition:

"

Marin Guptill's highest ever World Cup score of 237 not out:http://t.co/TYjmePTOvJ #CWC15 #fireitup pic.twitter.com/drgULNQ85P

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) March 21, 2015"

The general consensus ahead of the West Indies response was that if they were going to get anywhere near the victory target of 394, most of the runs would have to come from the bat of their mercurial opener Gayle. But the supporting cast were not up to much, as Boult ran amok with some superb bowling up front.

As noted by the tournament’s official Twitter account, his display—in which he bowled 10 consecutive overs—pushed him back to the top of the top wicket-takers standings:

"

What a spell from Boult! He finishes with 4-44 and has reclaimed his place as the leading wicket taker at #cwc15! pic.twitter.com/vtGochUapQ

— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 21, 2015"

Gayle continued to go about his business with a patented brute power and even though the wickets tumbled around him, it was clear he was opting for an “all or nothing” approach. He played superbly for his 61 from just 33 balls, but just when there were festering hopes of a repeat of his Zimbabwe heroics, Adam Milne struck.

Here’s a look at that key dismissal:

"

WATCH: Adam Milne sends Gayle's stumps cartwheeling out of the ground and he goes for 61. #CWC15 #fireitup http://t.co/D3UF7vleG7

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) March 21, 2015"

As noted by the ICC, Gayle’s knock—which saw him clear the boundary rope on eight occasions—means he is now the most prolific six-hitter in the competition’s history:

"

Records breaking everywhere today! Chris Gayle has more 6's than anyone in CWC History! http://t.co/7r4PCothCS #cwc15 pic.twitter.com/JcWOOjfkJv

— ICC (@ICC) March 21, 2015"

West Indies continued to play their shots, but given the quality of the New Zealand bowlers, such reckless abandon in their efforts was only going to lead to more wickets. They tumbled freely despite a brisk run rate, as the Caribbean islanders were all out for 250 inside 31 overs.

New Zealand are looking in fantastic shape going into that last-four clash with the Proteas and in Guptill, they have found another major positive. His innings was incredible to see for all those in attendance at Eden Park and was yet another emphatic indicator that this New Zealand team has the requisite quality needed to win this competition.