GROS ISLET (St Lucia), March 21: New Zealand qualified for the World Cup Super Eights thanks to an emphatic 148-run victory over Kenya in Group C on Tuesday (also partially reported in Wednesday’s edition).

Ross Taylor hit 85 but was struck down with a hamstring strain in New Zealand's 331 for seven, the highest one-day international score here, although a crowd of around only 4,500 was in the 20,000-capacity Beausejour Cricket Ground to see it.

Kenya never got going in their rain-interrupted reply, slumping to 29 for four before being bowled out for 183 with four balls left.

Lou Vincent was instrumental in two of three run outs while Michael Mason, Daniel Vettori and James Franklin all took two wickets.

Ravi Shah offered some resistance, stroking a 89-ball 71 before he was superbly caught-and-bowled by Vettori a ball after launching him for six.

The result also meant Canada, who play the Kiwis on Thursday, were definitely eliminated. Kenya face England in the last group game on Saturday to determine the other Super Eight qualifier.

“It was a professional performance,” said New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, who experimented with a number of bowlers and fielding positions after 20 overs were completed and it was clear his side were going to win.

“The game wasn't secondary but we were going through some processes.”

New Zealand were put into bat but their innings was packed with good scores as Kenya's slower bowlers failed to show the form that took them to a seven-wicket win over Canada in their first match.