NAGPUR – New Zealand posted a 32-run win after surviving a scare from a feisty Ireland in their high-scoring World Cup warm-up match on Saturday. Martin Guptill struck a fine 130 off 134 balls as New Zealand racked up 311-6 in the day-night game at the Vidarbha Cricket Association stadium in Nagpur before bowling out Ireland for 279 off 48.2 overs.
Ireland enjoyed a flying start to their chase, with captain and opening batsman William Porterfield hammering a 74-ball 72 containing eight fours and a six. Left-hander Ed Joyce hit 41 off 53 balls to keep Ireland in the hunt after Porterfield’s dismissal in the 23rd over but the total proved too much for his team in the end.
Joyce had switched allegiance to England in 2006 and was part of their World Cup squad in the Caribbean a year later but is now back with his native Ireland. Kiwi skipper Daniel Vettori picked four wickets for 42 runs off his 10 overs and fast bowler Kyle Mills chipped in with 3-52.
