Cricket: Black Caps unconvincing in warm-up

Martin Guptill's batting was a stand-out in the practice match. File photo / Hawkes Bay Today

The Black Caps have made an unconvincing start to their preparations for the Cricket World Cup with a 32 run win in a warm up match against Ireland in Nagpur.

Batting first, New Zealand made an imposing 311 for six off its 50 overs, with Martin Guptill belting 130.

However, the Irish made a good fist of the run chase, reaching 279 all out in the 49th over.

Skipper Daniel Vettori was the pick of the Black Caps bowlers, snaring four wickets for 42 runs off his 10 overs.

In other warm-up matches, West Indies crushed Kenya by 61 runs, Sri Lanka pounded the Netherlands by 156 runs, Bangladesh thumped Canada by nine wickets and South Africa strolled to an eight wicket win over Zimbabwe.

- NEWSTALK ZB