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World Cup: Twose goes on the attack

Roger Twose and Craig Spearman both hit half-centuries as New Zealand defeated the United Arab Emirates by 109 runs in Faisalabad to seal their place in the quarter-finals.

Left-hander Twose, the former Warwickshire all-rounder, narrowly missed his maiden one-day international century, stroking 92 from 112 balls.

Spearman scored a forceful 78 from 77 balls to help New Zealand pile up a daunting 276 for eight in 47 overs.

The Group B match was reduced from 50 to 47 overs after heavy mist delayed the start for an hour. The New Zealand bowlers kept up the pressure on the UAE, who limped to 167 for nine off their allotted overs.

Medium-pacer Shane Thomson finished with three for 20 and Dion Nash captured two for 34, as New Zealand recorded their third victory in four matches.

For the UAE it was their fourth successive defeat but Johanne Samarsekera, batting at No 9, made a valiant unbeaten 47 with seven fours from 59 balls. Mazhar Hussain scored 29 and opener Saleem Raza 21 but the rest caved in.

New Zealand suffered early blows when they lost two wickets for 42 runs after being put into bat.

Nathan Astle, continuing his dismal form after a fine century in the victory over England at Ahmedabad, was clean bowled by Samarasekera for two at 11.

Stephen Fleming fell for 16 at 42 when he lobbed back a return catch to off-spinner Shaukat Dukanwala.

But Twose joined Spearman to launch a New Zealand recovery with their third-wicket stand of 120 in 123 balls. Spearman slammed 10 fours before he was bowled by Saleem Raza trying a reverse sweep.

NZ won by 109 runs Man of the Match R G Twose