New Zealand have been fined for a slow over-rate in their thrilling World Cup victory over West Indies, the International Cricket Council said on Sunday.

Skipper Kane Williamson was docked 20 percent of his match fee while the rest of the Kiwi players received 10 percent fines after Saturday's match in Manchester.

Williamson's side were ruled to be one over short of their target after time allowances were taken into consideration, according to an ICC statement.

The captain pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee David Boon.

If New Zealand commit another minor over-rate breach during the 50-over tournament with Williamson in the side, it will be deemed a second offence by him and he will face a suspension.

New Zealand won the match by five runs to top the 10-team table.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / Cricket World Cup

With the West Indies going seven down at 164 while chasing 292 against New Zealand on Saturday, the Kiwis would have thought they have put the game well and truly on bed. Little did they know that a certain Carlos Brathwaite was about to give their ‘fiery�?bowling contingent a reality check.

After being eight down at 211, it was time for the all-rounder, who was the hero of the World T20 final in 2016 in India, to take the mantle in his very hands. Adding 41 runs with the No. 11, Oshane Thomas, Brathwaite was hitting every delivery the Kiwis bowlers had in store.

Carlos Brathwaite's maiden international century went in vain, but it made for a thoroughly entertaining #CWC19 contest!

His knock in a look ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/smr2FlOjIV

�?Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 22, 2019

The 30-year-old eventually turned the game on its head when he smashed Matt Henry for 25 runs in the 48th over to bring the game to a point where they needed mere eight runs in two overs. James Neesham came into the attack and with just six more runs to win, the all-rounder gave away his wicket at the boundary, bringing an end to a memorable innings. A nerve-wracking game came to a sad end for West Indies, but Brathwaite became a subject of well-deserved applause from all around the globe.

Here’s how the world reacted to his almost match-winning 82-ball 101;

Carlos braithwate.. every World Cup needs u to keep the tournament alive .. what an innings .. well done newzealand @windiescricket

�?Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) June 22, 2019

Carlos Brathwaite! What a 100, so near yet so far but an innings to remember for a long long time . World Cup is truly alive now #WIvNZ

�?Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 22, 2019

At the start of that last over @Bazmccullum suggested bringing deep cover up and dropping mid on back to long on for Brathwaite.. he still has a great feel for the game !

�?Nasser Hussain (@nassercricket) June 22, 2019

Bishop and Brathwaite. Almost. Almost again.. @irbishi

�?Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 22, 2019

What a thriller - Brathwaite almost pulling it off..heartbreak for WI(& Pak) #NZvWI

�?zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) June 22, 2019

Stand up & Salute, Carlos Brathwaite. pic.twitter.com/3ZiBMDjasa

�?Johns (@CricCrazyJohns) June 22, 2019

Did You Know: 41 runs stand between Carlos Brathwaite and Oshane Thomas last night is the highest partnership in Cricket World Cup history with zero contribution from one batsman. Previous highest was 26 between Ben Stokes and Mark Wood which happened only a day before. #CWC19

�?Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 23, 2019

What a stunning innings from Carlos Brathwaite. Nearly pulled off what looked an impossible chase. #WIvNZ

�?VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) June 22, 2019

Man! I loved Ian Bishop’s commentary when Carlos Brathwaite was batting. His voice takes the thrill to a different level. #WIvNZ

�?Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 22, 2019

Carlos Brathwaite no matter what is the result but you are absolutely amazing true Champion .
What a match
What a player
Full entertainer
I am so lucky to watched this match
Thank you Carlos Brathwaite
What a game!
Congratulations New Zealand #WIvNZ#CWC19 pic.twitter.com/nJrvAjTypl

�?Behram Khan Sanzer (@behram_sanzer) June 22, 2019

Utterly astonishing. That is one of the all-time great World Cup matches and one of the all-time great World Cup innings from Carlos Brathwaite. #CWC19

�?Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) June 22, 2019

Well batted Carlos Brathwaite a sensational century that took the West Indies to the brink #BACKTHEBLACKCAPS #WIvNZ #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/JNomtalTRj

�?BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) June 22, 2019

Carlos brathwaite didn't deserve this. Don't cry my brother, you still fought and did your best. You're still a legend. Respect for New Zealand players for consoling him in the end. This is the reason i love cricket. #NZvWI

�?Sir Saith Abdullah (@SaithAbdullah99) June 22, 2019

Cricket, you little beast. One moment soaring, other moment, down and out. Carlos Brathwaite that was one of the best knocks seen in a long time. Yes, we use those carelessly these days - we'll remember the name. Thank you #NZvWI #CWC19 #SpiritOfCricket ❤️ pic.twitter.com/qKxfZwmJG4

�?Nikhil (@CricCrazyNIKS) June 22, 2019

Phew.. so many gripping climaxes suddenly.. emphasising that sport remains best consumed live. No number of retrospective online clips could possibly convey the proper drama, and this time the agony, of the Brathwaite story.

�?AlisonMitchell (@AlisonMitchell) June 22, 2019

Wow! Remember the name! Not quite crossing the line but an unbelievable innings from Carlos Brathwaite #WIvNZ

�?Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) June 22, 2019

On some nights they clear the fence. On some nights they get caught on the boundary. Cricket is a great leveller. Thanks for the entertainment, Carlos Brathwaite! #CWC19 #WIvNZ

�?Ajesh Ramachandran (@Edged_and_taken) June 22, 2019

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / Cricket World Cup

Trent Boult said he hoped proud fans back at home would enjoy "diving into their poached eggs" after holding the decisive catch that saw New Zealand beat the West Indies by just five runs in a World Cup thriller.

Saturday's day/night match at Old Trafford looked certain to go New Zealand's way when the West Indies slumped to 164-7, chasing a target of 292.

And the Caribbean side still needed a further 47 runs when they lost their ninth wicket.

Yet the West Indies got to within one hit of victory thanks to Carlos Brathwaite's remarkable 101 -- his maiden one-day international century coming after just a lone fifty in the all-rounder's previous 37 matches at this level.

But with six needed to win, Brathwaite launched the last ball of the penultimate over from Jimmy Neesham high into the Manchester sky only for Boult, just inside the boundary rope, to take a well-judged catch at long-on.

The win saw New Zealand, the 2015 losing finalists, return to the top of the 10-team table. It also moved them to the verge of semi-final qualification as they remained unbeaten at this year's tournament after thrilling wins over both Sri Lanka and South Africa.

"It's a bit special, to be honest," said the 29-year-old Boult, who also took an impressive 4-30 in his maximum 10 overs.

"It's been a bit of an emotional roller coaster sitting there with the pads at times and then being under the pump there with the ball.

"It's what it's all about. It's awesome to be a part of it. And I'm sure there will be a lot of proud Kiwis back home, diving into poached eggs, watching a result like that," he added.

"I'm sure that will give us a little bit of confidence moving hopefully deeper into the tournament."

Asked what his thoughts were as he got underneath Brathwaite's final hit, Boult replied: "Yeah, pressure situation, I guess.

"Initially I thought it was going to be quite a way inside the rope. It was almost driven for six in the end, but nice to snaffle it. And what a game. Simple as that, really."

Boult took a couple of early wickets but also dropped a difficult chance offered by Chris Gayle, who was missed twice more.

It looked as if the veteran opener might make New Zealand pay dearly, with a typically quick 87 before Boult caught him in the deep.

"The way Chris batted -- he's done it many times," said Boult. "But for Carlos to come out and do that as cleanly as he did, pure hitting -- I'm going to say that was pretty cool to watch.

"It was a good crowd out there, so it was good for them.

"It was pretty exceptional, a great hundred. But to be on the right side of it is, of course, a very good feeling."

New Zealand lost both their openers for ducks to be 7-2 before Kane Williamson's career-best 148 -- the captain's successive hundred of the tournament after a match-winning century against South Africa -- took them to 291-8.

Williamson received good support from Ross Taylor (69) in a third-wicket partnership of 160.

"I thought it was classy, to be honest," said Boult.

"It's what they've done time and time again, just absorbed the pressure there."

Meanwhile Boult, restricted to 1-63 against South Africa, modestly said of his return against the West Indies: "I'm almost 30 now, so I'm getting on a bit.

"I've played enough cricket to understand it comes around when it comes around."

Feature image courtesy: Twitter/ @cricketworldcup

The West Indies started their 2019 ICC World Cup campaign in style, blowing Pakistan away to revive memories of their glory days of swashbuckling batting and fearsome fast bowling.

But, six games in, it is a familiar tale of what-ifs as the two-time champions contemplate another failed campaign dogged by their old foe �?inconsistency.

Carlos Brathwaite on Saturday exemplified West Indies' fighting spirit and impressive reserves of talent, smashing a breathtaking century to take his side agonisingly close to victory against New Zealand at Old Trafford.

But instead of completing an unlikely and glorious win, Jason Holder's team lost by five runs, effectively ending their hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals of the 50-over event.

You just have to see it to believe it!!!

An all or nothing catch in the deep by Trent Boult is the difference between winning and losing a @cricketworldcup classic.

What an incredible game of cricket! �?a href="//twitter.com/hashtag/BACKTHEBLACKCAPS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#BACKTHEBLACKCAPS | #MenInMaroon #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/bRSz3429tf

�?ICC (@ICC) June 22, 2019

It is a familiar scenario for West Indies sides and former paceman Ian Bishop believes the lack of time the team's core group spends together is one reason for their below-par showing in England and Wales.

"Obviously they are a talented team," Bishop told AFP. "They haven't been together for a long time, unlike teams like England, New Zealand and India, who have had a core group for a long time.

"This team hasn't had that for different reasons, whether it's injury or guys going to different leagues, which is understandable. So, I think that has hindered preparation."

West Indies cricket went through huge upheavals after the team cut short their tour of India in 2014 due to a payment dispute between the players and the board.

Dwayne Bravo was sacked as one-day international captain and Kieron Pollard and Darren Sammy were sidelined.

AFP Photo/ Oli Scarff

The enormously talented and charismatic Chris Gayle subsequently became a "gun for hire", playing in leagues all around the world as coaches came and went.

Bishop said the changing support staff had not helped team-building -- Floyd Reifer was appointed interim head coach after the sacking of Richard Pybus in April.

A change in guard at Cricket West Indies saw Ricky Skerritt succeed controversial predecessor Dave Cameron as president in March.

"There have been changes in the selection panel and things like that -- change in coaches, so different philosophies have evolved over the last three or four years," said Bishop, who also called for a shake-up in Caribbean domestic cricket.

"It's not just these guys, -- West Indies cricket has struggled for a fair while now in different formats at different times. In Twenty20 they are kings of the world. Some credit needs to be given there."

The West Indies witnessed an upturn in fortunes on the pitch with a shock 2-1 Test series win over England and 2-2 ODI series draw earlier this year.

But the stark truth is that the former undisputed kings of world cricket under Clive Lloyd and Viv Richards have not won an ODI series since 2014.

Carlos Braithwaite, remember the name?

Well @TridentSportsX nearly made us remember all over again with an incredible display of power hitting at the death.

Watch @windiescricket's best shots here #MenInMaroon | #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/w0LxokHrCt

�?ICC (@ICC) June 22, 2019

Remind Holder, who has been captain since 2015, of West Indies' rich legacy and the pressure it might put on the present side and he smilingly says, "no pressure".

"We need to be a little bit more consistent in what we're doing," he said after the heartbreaking loss to New Zealand at Old Trafford. "But as I said before, we're really, really proud of the way the guys fought."

West Indies, world champions in 1975 and 1979, started the World Cup with a comprehensive seven-wicket win over Pakistan only to lose steam, with defeats to Australia, England and Bangladesh.

But they can take heart from good individual batting performances from Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope and Brathwaite.

Pacemen Oshane Thomas and Sheldon Cottrell have also impressed with their pace and swing in English conditions and Bishop is more than happy with the talent on tap, saying many of the players are relatively inexperienced.

"So again it goes back to how much experience some of these guys have in this format. You look around, how much India have, how much England have had," he said.

"How much Australia have had with players such as Mitchell Starc, who is a World Cup winner. So it's an experience thing but domestically more needs to be done to support the players."

Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Oli Scarff

Kane Williamson's latest World Cup batting masterclass helped New Zealand recover from a woeful start to post a total of 291-8 against the West Indies on Saturday.

New Zealand were 7-2 inside the first over after fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell removed openers Martin Guptill and Colin Munro for golden ducks at Old Trafford.

But Williamson's career-best 148 -- his second successive World Cup hundred after a match-winning 106 not out against South Africa at Edgbaston on Wednesday -- turned the tide.  

The New Zealand captain received sound support from Ross Taylor (69) during a third-wicket stand of 160.

However, Cottrell helped leave the West Indies with a reachable target thanks to an impressive 4-56 in his maximum 10 overs, including the key wicket of Williamson.

He also held three catches and ran out dangerman Colin de Grandhomme (16).

Taylor gave his innings away when he could not clear Jason Holder at mid-off after chipping a catch off Chris Gayle, to leave New Zealand 167-3 in the 31st over.

But Williamson carried on in typically calm fashion.

He went to his 13th one-day international hundred with his eighth four when he pulled a loose delivery from fast bowler Kemar Roach.

He then hoisted Cottrell legside for the only six of his innings.

Williamson surpassed his previous best score in 137 ODI innings -- 145 against South Africa in Kimberley in 2013 -- before he fell skying Cottrell to wicket-keeper Shai Hope.

In all, Williamson faced 154 balls, including 14 fours and one six.

He has now scored 373 runs, including two hundreds, in four innings this World Cup at an average of 186.5.   

Earlier, West Indies made a sensational start after Holder sent New Zealand, the 2015 losing finalists, into bat.

Cottrell was on target first ball with a delivery that thudded into the pads of Martin Guptill.

Umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge initially said "not out" but the West Indies successfully reviewed the decision, with replays showing the ball would have hit leg stump.

Munro too fell first ball, beaten completely by another yorker that smashed into his stumps.

For the second time in the over Cottrell, still a serving member of the Jamaica Defence Force, greeted a wicket with his trademark military salute.

It was only the second occasion when both openers in a World Cup match had fallen for first-ball noughts, with Sri Lanka's Lahiru Thirimanne and Tillakaratne Dilshan collecting golden ducks against Afghanistan in 2015. 

Williamson and Taylor, however, repaired the damage in style for a New Zealand side who have yet to lose at this World Cup. 

The West Indies were seventh in the 10-team round-robin group table before the start of Saturday's matches and struggling to qualify for the semi-finals.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / Cricket World Cup

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 164 for seven, chasing 292 to win after Black Caps skipper Williamson led a recovery from 7-2 with a career-best 148 to take New Zealand to 291-8.

Brathwaite's remarkable hundred nearly saw the West Indies to an incredible success at Old Trafford.

But with six needed from seven balls, Brathwaite 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.

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.

"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 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

Gayle was first dropped on 15 when Boult floored a desperately difficult chance off Matt Henry as the ball dropped over his shoulder.

Gayle responded by hitting paceman Henry's next two balls for six.

- Luck runs out -

He was next reprieved on 58 when Henry dropped a routine chance at deep square leg off Mitchell Santner, with the spinner again denied Gayle's wicket in the same over when Colin Munro was unable to cling on at deep midwicket.

Gayle's luck ran out when he hoisted Colin de Grandhomme to the long-on boundary where Boult held a safe catch.

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

But then came a dramatic rally, with the game turned on its head by a stunning 48th over from 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.

Brathwaite then hit Neesham for two to complete a century.

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

Williamson went to his 13th one-day international hundred with his eighth four when he pulled a loose ball from fast bowler Kemar Roach

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / Cricket World Cup

New Zealand paceman Lockie Ferguson admitted it is pleasing to see the team's top batsmen playing well ahead of their World Cup game against West Indies in Manchester.

Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson has led by example as his century in New Zealand's previous win over South Africa maintained their unbeaten run in this year's tournament.

Ferguson has claimed 11 wickets in four matches, but it is the batsmen who have taken New Zealand over the finish line in their four wins so far.

"I think we've got a lot of batters playing well on our team and for a long time. But it's nice when Kane's playing well, Ross (Taylor) is playing well, Gupi (Martin Guptill)," Ferguson told reporters on Friday.

"Our top order has some experience here, and as a bowler it's nice when they're spending time at the crease. So it's exciting. It's a good team to be part of."

Ferguson, who is ably complimented by fellow quicks in Matt Henry and Trent Boult, said he has enjoyed bowling in seaming English conditions.

"Look, I think we've been fortunate to have the conditions outside for sure," Ferguson said.

"It's often quite suited, and I'm sure the wicket tomorrow will hopefully have a bit of pace as well.

"There's some big runs scored, some big hundreds. But also from a bowling point of view we've had five wicket hauls.

"It's been one of those great World Cups where batters and bowlers have been having a really good competition."

Ferguson has the ability to clock speeds up to 96 mph (154 kph) and the 27-year-old is enjoying the aggressive bowling in the World Cup.

"I think for me if bowlers are bowling over 140 I know the crowd gets behind it. It's always nice to watch some good pace bowling, some good aggressive pace bowling in a game," he said.

New Zealand were on the receiving end of a 421-run total against the West Indies in a pre-tournament warm-up game last month.

But Ferguson said learning from that loss will help them at Old Trafford.

"For sure we'll be taking some from that game, start again, obviously score's at zero," said Ferguson.

"But there's no secret that the West Indies have a powerful lineup all the way through. And as a bowling unit we need to learn, if they get on a roll, to shut down areas and build up pressure again."

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / Cricket World Cup

Jason Holder on Friday claimed his struggling West Indies are still in the hunt to qualify for the World Cup semi-finals ahead of their game against unbeaten New Zealand in Manchester.

Holder will be without injured all-rounder Andre Russell on Saturday, but the West Indies skipper is adamant his team shouldn't be counted out yet.

West Indies started the tournament by beating Pakistan in their opener but soon lost momentum with defeats to Australia, England and Bangladesh.

Another loss would effectively end their last four hopes, but Holder says it is just a matter of bringing their best game to the table against the Black Caps, a side who they out-played in a pre-tournament warm up last month.

"I think we still have a possible chance to qualify for the semi-finals, but we've just got to take it game by game," Holder told reporters at Old Trafford.

"This encounter with New Zealand is very important. We all know what's at stake and we just have to come and bring our 'A' game. It's as simple as that."

On Russell's fitness, Holder said he is definitely out of the weekend clash, but the rest of the squad in available for selection.

"We've still got a few niggles within the group. We're trying to manage niggles the best we possibly can," said Holder.

"I think one guy who probably may be definitely out tomorrow is Russell. I don't think he's fit enough to go tomorrow. But everybody else should be good to go."

Russell, 31, has been struggling with a chronic knee injury for the last five years.

West Indies lost a close game to Australia on June 6 and then failed to defend 321 against Bangladesh early this week.

Holder said the team, which skipped practice on Friday but went through a bonding excercise, have tried to talk among themselves in a bid to get their act together.

"We've had a few frank discussions within the dressing room to find ways in which we can improve on. I think all teams would get themselves in that situation at some point," Holder said.

"But, yeah, we've had some pretty good discussions over the last couple of days. And tomorrow is just a day to deliver."

West Indies had posted 421 in their warm up against the Black Caps in Bristol and Holder said the performance was a testament of his team's abilities.

"It just shows what we can produce. It's a situation where we've just got to pull on those resources, remember the things that we did in that game," he said.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Saeed Khan