Martin Guptill plunders 237 to help New Zealand make semis

Martin Guptill plundered 24 fours and 11 sixes in his match-winning 237 that helped New Zealand beat West Indies by 143 runs in the Quarter-Finals in Wellington on Saturday.

Brendon McCullum won the toss and chose to bat first. His batsmen, and Guptill in particular, made the most of favourable batting conditions.

West Indies had their opportunity to dismiss Guptill in the first over itself but Marlon Samuels dropped him at square leg.

The hosts reached the 100-run mark in the 19th over, with two batsmen back in the pavilion. Guptill and Ross Taylor added 143 for the third wicket and set the platform for the onslaught.

Guptill reached his second-straight ton in the World Cup from 111 balls. He converted that into a double hundred 41-balls later. Guptill's knock helped New Zealand score 393 in their innings.

Chris Gayle was the stand-out performer for West Indies with the bat and smashed a 33-ball 61. But his dismissal in the 17th over cost West Indies and they managed 250 in reply.

"We had a couple of good partnerships early, which set the game up," Guptill, the Man of the Match, said. "We were trying to take each ball as it comes and just build a partnership. After I got the hundred, I just thought I should probably hit a few boundaries. The quickest outfield I have played on here. You got value for your shots. Incredible crowd. A step-up from the England game. Let this win sink in, we will think of the semi-final after that. Th 237 hasn't really sunk in. We still have a lot of work to do, so can't dwell too much no this."