The 28-year-old blitzed his way to a sensational 237 off 163 balls, breaking the mark of 215 set by today's opponent Chris Gayle earlier in the tournament.

Guptill, who has already held the best one day international score by a New Zealander, made a workmanlike first 100 before unleashing, accruing his final 137 runs from just 52 deliveries.

In a tournament marked by astonishing batting feats this was maybe the best of the lot, with the total the second best in the history of one day international cricket; only Indian Rohit Sharma's 264 last November against Sri Lanka has been higher.

He batted for all 50 overs to inspire a total of 393-6, a target West Indies never seemed likely to challenge.

Although Gayle started well, entertaining the crowd with eight sixes in a 33-ball 61, wickets fell at regular intervals, with left-arm paceman Trent Boult leading the way with 4-44.

New Zealand celebrate after taking a West Indian wicket during their dominant victory in Wellington ©Getty Images



They were eventually dismissed for 250 with almost 20 overs remaining, to spark jubilant celebrations among the home supporters.

New Zealand will now take on South Africa in Auckland on Tuesday (March 24) for a place in the World Cup final, with co-hosts Australia then facing defending champions India in Sydney on Thursday (March 26).

Neither New Zealand nor South Africa have ever won the quadrennial tournament, but with New Zealand still unbeaten and having won most of their matches with ease, they must be growing in confidence that history can be made.

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