New Zealand defeat India, Vettori bags 4 wickets

JOHANNESBURG, Sept 16, 2007 (AFP) - Captain Daniel Vettori led from the front as New Zealand brushed aside India by 10 runs in the Super Eights match of the Twenty20 world championships on Sunday.







New Zealand next play England on Tuesday and India take on England on Wednesday, both matches taking place at the Kingsmead in Durban. The left-arm spinner claimed 4-20, took a catch and effected a run out as the Kiwis, bowled out for 190, hit back to restrict India to 180-9 in good batting conditions at the Wanderers here.

India failed to build on a blistering start by openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, who put on 76 for the first wicket from 35 deliveries.

Sehwag struck a typically belligerent 17-ball 40 containing six boundaries and two sixes, while Gambhir top-scored with 51 off 33 with five fours and two sixes.

But once Jacob Oram broke through by having Sehwag caught at mid-wicket, India lost their way and conceded wickets at regular intervals to hand New Zealand two valuable points.

New Zealand are grouped with South Africa, England and India in group E of the Super Eights.

Group F comprises Australia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh with the top two teams from