GROS ISLET, St. Lucia, CMC

Brendon McCullum smashed the fastest-ever Cricket World Cup half-century as New Zealand completed their unbeaten run in Group C with a comfortable 114-run victory over Canada at the Beausejour Cricket Ground here yesterday.

MCullum reached his 50 from just 20 balls and in addition to a timely 101 by previously out-of-form opener Lou Vincent, New Zealand, sent in by Canada, reached 363 for five off 50 overs. Canada put up spirited resistance through half-centuries from John Davison and Ian Billcliff but were eventually dismissed for 249 off 49.2 overs.

SCORES: New Zealand 363-5 off 50 overs (Lou Vincent 101, Stephen Fleming 66, Brendon McCullum 52 not out, Peter Fulton 47, Jacob Oram 35 not out, Scott Styris 28, Kevin Sandher 2-58, John Davison 2-67).

Canada 249 off 49.2 overs (John Davison 52, Ian Billcliff 50, Geoff Barnett 40, Ashish Bagai 35, Jeetan Patel 3-25, Daniel Vettori 3-57).