Mitchell Santner has become the first New Zealand spinner to grab a five-wicket haul at a Cricket World Cup as the Black Caps thumped the Netherlands by 99 runs to claim their second successive victory.
New Zealand again made light of the absence of captain Kane Williamson as they racked up 7-322 on a slow, dry wicket, with top-order batters Will Young, stand-in skipper Tom Latham and Rachin Ravindra all making half-centuries.
Santner, who also made a quickfire unbeaten 36 off 17 balls, then took 5-59 with his left-arm spin as the Netherlands were bowled out for 223 in 46.3 overs.
It was the Netherlands’ second consecutive defeat after losing their opener to Pakistan by 81 runs.
Devon Conway, who struck an unbeaten 152 in New Zealand’s opening win against England, holed out at long-on for 32 but opening partner Young, who made a duck against England, scored 70.
Ravindra, who also made an unbeaten century against England, struck 51 as New Zealand reached 2-171 after 30 overs.
After the trio departed Daryl Mitchell, who made 48 after being dropped on 22, and Latham (53) put on 53 before the Netherlands hit back in the last powerplay with three quick wickets for 16 runs.
But Santner provided the Black Caps with a perfect finish by slamming Bas de Leede for two consecutive sixes in the last over, which went for 23.
Although New Zealand then dropped a couple of catches and Santner missed with two of three run-out chances the Netherlands never threatened to chase the target down.
Colin Ackermann (69) made a fighting half century, but the fall of De Leede in the 17th over to a superb juggling catch by Trent Boult on the edge of the boundary at long off took the game further away from the Netherlands.
Santner baffled the Netherlands with his variations of pace and, after having O’Dowd trapped leg before wicket in his first spell, he returned to grab four more wickets. Matt Henry ended the innings, finishing with 3-40.
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