World Cup T20: New Zealand beat Netherlands by 6 wickets

Chittagong (Bangladesh), March 29 (IANS) Brendon McCullum’s 65 off 45 balls gave New Zealand a six-wicket victory over the Netherlands in a Group 1 match here on Saturday and kept them in contention for a semi-final berth in the ICC World Twenty20.

The victory at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium helped the Kiwis leapfrog South Africa into second place in Group 1. Sri Lanka, New Zealand and South Africa are all on four points having played three games each, but run-rate differentiates the three teams.

Impressive knocks from Peter Borren (49) and Tom Cooper (40 not out) helped the Dutch reach an impressive 151 for four after they were put in to bat.

New Zealand were in a spot of bother early on losing the wickets of Martin Guptill (9) and Kane Williamson (29) with te score on 56 for two in the ninth over. Still needing close to 100 runs at almost 10 runs an over, New Zealand faced the prospect of going down to the minnows.

However, McCullum in his characteristic swashbuckling style bailed the Kiwis out, smashing four fours and three sixes on his way to his 13th T20 fifty.

Some lusty blows by all-rounder Corey Anderson (20 not out) late in the day wrapped up the match for New Zealand with six balls to spare.

Brief Scores:

Netherlands: 151 for four in 20 overs (Peter Borren 49, Tom Cooper 40, Michael Swart 26; Kyle Mills 1-20, Trent Boult 1-25).

New Zealand: 152 for four in 19 overs (Brendon McCullum 65, Kane Williamson 29, Corey Anderson 20; Timm van der Gugten 3-30, Logan van Beek 1-14)