World Cup History - New Zealand

1975

New Zealand, placed in Group A, found a spot in the semi-finals with two wins in three games in the league stage. In the semi-final played against the West Indies, they suffered a five-wicket defeat as the second-wicket partnership of 125 runs between the left-handed batsman Alvin Kallicharan and opener Gordon Greenidge led to their ouster.

1979

The New Zealand team sailed into the semi-finals from Group B, as they secured two wins in three matches in the league stage. But in a closely-fought semi-final contest at Old Trafford against England, they fell short by 14 runs chasing 222, to crash out of the World Cup.

1983

The disastrous campaign ended for New Zealand as Pakistan managed to scrape past them on the basis of a superior net run-rate with an identical number of wins in six games from Group A.

1987

In the fourth edition of the tournament, New Zealand could not clear the first hurdle culminating in an early exit, with four losses in six matches, placed in Group A.

1992

New Zealand, now playing as hosts with Australia, enjoyed a dream run under the aegis of maverick captain Martin Crowe losing just one game to end up on top of their group. This facilitated their semi-final encounter with Pakistan, where they were beaten by four wickets, thanks to a late charge by young Inzamam-ul-Haq (42 off 35 balls) and left-handed batsman Wasim Akram (33 off 18 balls) to surpass the Black Caps’ total at Eden Park, Auckland. 

1996

New Zealand managed to storm into the quarter-finals from Group B with three victories from five games played. However, in the quarter-finals, a brilliant hundred from all-rounder Chris Harris went in vain, as Australia overhauled a daunting target of 286 runs, powered by Mark Waugh’s glorious 110 on an excellent batting track in Chennai. 

1999

Placed in Group B, New Zealand entered the Super Sixes with three wins in six matches played. They inched past Zimbabwe based on better net run-rate to play Pakistan in the semi-finals at Old Trafford, Manchester, eventually going down by nine wickets with a ton from the stylish left-handed batsman Saeed Anwar (113 not out off 148 balls) proving too much.

2003

New Zealand were among the top three teams from Pool C to qualify for the Super Sixes with four victories from six matches. However, their progress was halted, as they managed to win just one game against Zimbabwe, losing to Australia and India in vital games, failing to secure a semi-finals berth.

2007

Having topped the Group C table with no losses in three games played under the leadership of Stephen Fleming, they eased into the Super Eights. The semi-finals spot was secured with five wins in seven games at the Super Eights stage. In the knockout game, they failed to sustain their earlier form, ending their World Cup journey with a comprehensive 81-run defeat against Sri Lanka in pursuit of 290 runs.

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