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World Cup: Holland lack the stomach for fight

New Zealand (307-8) beat Holland (188-7) by 119 runs Scoreboard

New Zealand came within two runs of their record World Cup total as they plundered 307 for eight in their 50 overs against debu- tants Holland here yesterday and went on to win by 119 runs.

Opener Craig Spearman scored 68 and led the assault with Stephen Fleming, who hit 66 in characteristically fluent style, the pair sharing a second-wicket stand of 116.

They repaired the early damage inflicted by the tournament newco- mers who had removed Nathan Astle, the century-making hero of New Zealand's Group B victory over England on Wednesday.

A sharp, direct throw from Glamorgan's Roland Lefebvre ran out Astle without scoring after he had responded hesitantly to a call from Spearman.

With Spearman and Fleming in full flow, New Zealand reached 100 in 16 overs before the opener was caught by Bas Zuiderent off Steven Lubbers. New Zealand's middle order sustained a lively run rate and the 200 came up in the 36th over.

Chris Cairns, who looked fitter than against England after recovering from his recent calf injury, struck 52 off 38 balls, in- cluding two sixes and four boundaries.

Adam Parore's contribution of 55 was no less exhilarating as he hit the Dutch bowling in all directions, embellishing his score with three sixes.

A crowd of 20,000 cheered the unfancied Dutch, whose fielding under pressure drew repeated applause.

The brown, bare pitch played easily, offering little help to the Dutch bowlers, of whom off-spinner Lubbers was the most success- ful with three for 48.

Holland never looked like threatening New Zealand's total, though opener Peter Cantrell and Lefebvre both made 45 to provide a lit- tle respectability.

A satisfied New Zealand manager, Glenn Turner, said: ``It was a good exercise. We won comfortably. The batsmen had a good look. I am particularly glad for Robert Kennedy, who had a tough time in the home series against Zimbabwe. His two wickets here helped him regain confidence.''

Lubbers, the Dutch captain, responded: ``Many of our players were bed-ridden because of upset stomachs, which was not good for us physically or mentally.

``We have tougher games ahead because every team would want to thrash us. The bowling was tight, but we need to improve our bat- ting. New Zealand bowling is very tidy and can tie down better teams than ours.''

India, meanwhile, have key spinner Anil Kumble in bed with a viral fever and he may miss today's game against Kenya at Cuttack.