Trent Boult revels in New Zealand's nerveless World Cup campaign

The Kiwi seamer is taking the positives from the latest close slave which saw West Indies run them close before they secure victory by five runs

Scorecard | Player Ratings | Talking Points | Nick Howson

Match-winner Trent Boult believes the close finishes in several of New Zealand's World Cup group matches stands them in good stead for the knock-out stage.

The Kiwis got over the line by five runs against West Indies at Old Trafford, after four and two wicket wins over South Africa and Bangladesh earlier in the campaign.

Boult took 4-30 as well as the winning catch to dismiss Carlos Brathwaite (101), whose maiden ODI century had brought the Windies right back into the contest.

"It's a bit special, to be honest," admitted the left-arm seamer. "It's been a bit of an emotional roller coaster sitting there with the pads at times and then being under the pump there with the ball. 

VISIT OUR WORLD CUP HUB

"It's what it's all about. It's awesome to be a part of it. And I'm sure there will be a lot of proud Kiwis back home, diving into poached eggs, watching a result like that.

"Be pretty proud to -- nice to be on the right side of it, of course. 

"But it's nice to be put under pressure like that with both facets of the game there, and I'm sure that will give us a little bit of confidence moving hopefully deeper into the tournament."

Kane Williamson struck his second century in as many World Cup games as the 2015 runners-up finished on 291 for 9 from their 50 overs.

West Indies got off to a fast start and a stand of 122 between Shimron Hetmyer (54) and Chris Gayle (87) means they were favourites approaching the mid-way point in the innings.

^{Carlos Brathwaite was left mortified by Trent Boult's brilliance}

But when the pair fell either side of Jason Holder being dismissed first ball the momentum was firmly with Williamson's side.

Brathwaite helped put on 122 for the final three wickets with the tail but despite a memorable knock was unable to guide his side home as Boult caught him on the long on boundary.

"Yeah, pressure situation, I guess," the 29-year-old said of the catch. "Initially I thought it was going to be quite a way inside the rope, but almost driven for six in the end, but nice to snaffle it. And what a game. Simple as that, really."

Our coverage of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 is brought to you in association with Cricket 19, the official video game of the Ashes. Order your copy now at Amazon.co.uk

Subscribe to The Cricketer for exclusive content every day: The inside track on England's Test tour with George Dobell in Pakistan, award-winning analysis, breaking news and interviews and the only place for in-depth county coverage all year round. Plus: An ad-free app experience at your fingertips. Subscribe to thecricketer.com today for just £1.