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Brave Windies fall short as Kiwis stay unbeaten

A Carlos Brathwaite century gives New Zealand an almighty scare before the Black Caps hold on by five runs

Kane Williamson's latest World Cup batting masterclass proved just enough to trump a stunning century from Carlos Brathwaite as New Zealand beat the West Indies by five runs in a World Cup thriller on Saturday.

The West Indies were all but defeated at 7-164, chasing 292 to win after Black Caps skipper Williamson led a recovery from 2-7 with a career-best 148 to take New Zealand to 8-291.

Brathwaite's remarkable hundred nearly saw the West Indies to an incredible success but with six runs needed from seven balls, he launched Jimmy Neesham for what he hoped would be the winning hit, only for Trent Boult to take a superbly judged catch just inside the long-on boundary.

Brathwaite sank to his knees in despair after falling for 101 off just 82 balls, including five sixes and nine fours, having dominated a last-wicket stand of 41 in which he scored all the runs.

Image Id: D39E9EB3B8EB413E8E196A59AECBEBA7 Image Caption: Heartbreak // Getty

Victory saw New Zealand return to the top of the table and all but secure their place in the semi-finals as a heart-breaking defeat left the West Indies on the verge of elimination. 

"The West Indies are incredibly dangerous, even down their order. Credit to them, but credit to our side for getting a competitive total," Williamson said. 

"It's a great game of cricket, good to be on the winning side. It's been a great learning curve for us."

West Indies skipper Jason Holder added: "A tough game at the end. I'm proud of the guys, especially Carlos Brathwaite.

Image Id: E96BB773288B4F0AA4B04A5772C9BA06 Image Caption: Williamson scored a second consecutive century // Getty

"Getting so close I guess it does make it tougher to take, but when you look throughout the entire game, there were one or two areas where we fell down."

Veteran opener Chris Gayle threatened to make New Zealand pay dearly for dropping him three times during a typically blistering 87 off just 84 balls including eight fours and six sixes that delighted a near-capacity crowd.

But he eventually holed out during a collapse that saw five wickets lost for 22 runs in 28 balls.

Stand-in opener Shai Hope, batting up front after Evin Lewis was unable to partner Gayle after being off the field injured for most of New Zealand's innings, played on to Boult for just one, the first wicket of an excellent 4-30 in 10 overs for the pace bowler

Image Id: BF0A0C8788754D6F907AED3157FE4DD8 Image Caption: Chris Gayle goes long at Old Trafford // Getty

Shimron Hetmyer made 54 but couldn't press on and when Kemar Roach edged Henry to wicket-keeper Tom Latham, West Indies were 8-211.

But then came a dramatic rally, with the game turned on its head by a stunning 48th over from Matt Henry that yielded 25 runs.

Brathwaite flat-batted a straight six and next ball he hit an extraordinary one-handed six, the ball flying over backward point and the batsman breaking his bat in the process.

But armed with a new bat, Brathwaite smashed a full toss straight over long-off for another six and then top-edged a four before scoring a single to keep the strike.

Image Id: B0DFDD1C2DA0407F92A9B70D9BE27C1F Image Caption: Brathwaite celebrates a remarkable century // Getty

Brathwaite then hit Neesham for two to complete a century.

Earlier, New Zealand were 2-7 inside the first over after Sheldon Cottrell removed openers Martin Guptill and Colin Munro for golden ducks.

But Williamson's second successive World Cup hundred, after a match-winning 106 not out against South Africa on Wednesday, took New Zealand to a competitive total.

For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE