Cricket World Cup 2019: Blackcaps crush India in opening warm-up match

The Blackcaps smashed India by six wickets in their opening Cricket World Cup warm-up match at the Oval in London on Sunday (NZ time).

Trent Boult (4/33) picked up four wickets for the Kiwis, while Jimmy Neesham (3/26) claimed three as they bowled India out for just 179 before half-centuries to captain Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor led New Zealand to victory with 13 overs to spare.

Much was made about the Blackcaps' limited preparation for the tournament, as they've had players scattered all over the world - playing in the Indian Premier League or English county competition, or with the New Zealand XI - while other nations have been playing one-day-international series.

But they proved that won't be a problem, a week out from their opening game against Sri Lanka next Saturday.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, India were rolled for just 179 in 39.2 overs as Boult took the wickets of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul for a combined 10 runs.

Colin de Grandhomme (1/12) claimed the key wicket of Virat Kohli for just 18 runs, which left India at 39/4 in the 11th over.

Only a half-century from Ravindra Jadeja (54 from 50 balls) spared his side's blushes as he restored some pride from a perilous 91/7.

Boult claimed the final wicket off a caught and bowled as India knew they'd have to pull off something special to claim victory.

The removal of Colin Munro and Martin Guptill with just 37 on the board gave India some early hope, but Williamson and Taylor put on a 114-run partnership for the third wicket to secure victory.

"Facing a quality side like India and scoring some runs is always good," Williamson said.   

"We didn't get too much from the spinners, but hopefully we can get them some work in the second warm-up game.   

"It was quicker in the first innings than the second innings, it got slower later on."

The Blackcaps face the West Indies in their final warm-up game on Tuesday night (NZ time).

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