Black Caps brush Ireland aside

Left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori claimed 4-23 when he ran through the Irish tail. He had three lbws and finished the innings by bowling Kyle McCallan and trapping last man Boyd Rankin in front to be on a hat-trick in his next match.

Ireland, now on the cusp of elimination, rarely threatened the Black Caps8217; total despite an entertaining 49 off 45 balls from middle-order batsman Kevin O8217;Brien, who was eventually run out after a mix-up with his brother Niall.

With three matches left, the Black Caps are now almost assured one of the semi-final berths on eight points.

Ireland remain winless from their three second stage Super Eight games so far and their task does not get any easier with Australia up next on Friday.

New Zealand8217;s victory did not appear so clear-cut at various stages of their innings when they slumped to 83 for three and later 189 for seven, with Ireland fielding athletically and bowling accurately for the most part. Opener Fulton resisted Ireland with a steady 83 from 110 balls for his sixth one-day half-century with wickets falling around him. Man of the Match Fulton eventually perished to the accurate off-spinner McCallan, who finished with two for 35 from his 10 overs.