Scotland v New Zealand

At Raeburn Place, Edinburgh, May 31. New Zealand won by six wickets. Toss: New Zealand.

New Zealand had to win heavily enough to lift their net run-rate above West Indies', and were armed with a list of permutations of results which would get them through. Winning the toss enabled Fleming to wield greater control, inserting Scotland and then chasing. New Zealand hopes soared when the Scots were 12 for three. But nerves set in as Hamilton and Stanger added 54, until Hamilton holed out - the third-leading run-scorer of the World Cup preliminaries, with 217, behind Dravid and Ganguly. The leading bowler, Allott, struck for the 15th time before Harris demolished the tail.

Now New Zealand knew the equation for sure: 122 in 21.2 overs or less. Hart, an unexpected pinch-hitter in his first World Cup game, lasted two balls, and Astle failed again. But Twose, despite giving three chances, hastened to 54 in 49 balls. Cairns completed the job in 17.5 overs when he lifted Hamilton over square leg for six.

Man of the Match: G. I. Allott. Attendance: 5,217.