Cricket: Opener Peter Fulton hit his sixth one-day half-century as New Zealand reached 263-8 against Ireland at the end of their 50 overs in their Super Eight match at Providence, Guyana.
Fulton struck nine fours in a responsible 83, but none of the top order batsmen showed his commitment and it was left to an eighth wicket partnership of 71 between Brendon McCullum (47) and James Franklin (34 not out) to take the Kiwis to respectability.
The pair came together with New Zealand 189-7 in the 43rd over and took just 43 balls to restore some balance to their team's innings.
The Irish bowlers, led by off-spinners Kyle McCallan and Andrew White, who took four wickets between them, threatened to take control of the game after New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming won the toss and opted to bat.
Fleming (10) and Fulton shared an opening stand of 35 before the Kiwis captain sliced pacer Boyd Rankin to point where William Porterfield held the catch.
Hamish Marshall (16) and Scott Styris (10), both fell to Dave Langford-Smith while Craig McMillan (22) was McCallan's first victim as New Zealand lost four wickets for 118 in the 25th over.
Marshall went to a fine catch by Eoin Morgan, who had to stretch a long way at cover, while Styris slashed at a slower ball from Langford-Smith and was caught at the wicket with the Kiwis 83-3 in the 17th over.
Fulton and McMillan added another 35 before McMillan tried to cut the spinner and was caught at point after 24.2 overs with the score on 118.
Fulton, who brought up his 50 off 66 balls, put on 54 in a fifth wicket partnership with Jacob Oram (20), taking the score to 172 in the 39th over, when Fulton attempted to sweep McCallan and was adjudged lbw. He faced 110 balls.
White then accounted for both Oram and Daniel Vettori (5) as the Kiwis plunged to 189-7 in the 43rd over.
But McCullum and Franklin restored the Kiwis dominance with their 43-ball stand.
McCullum, who faced 37 balls, fell with two balls to go, caught by Morgan on the midwicket boundary after hitting two fours and one six.
Franklin's unbeaten innings contained three fours and one six and came off 22 balls.
McCallan took took 2-35, White 2-45 and Langford Smith 2-41, all from 10 overs.