New Zealand has been part of the ODI World Cup since the very first edition in 1975. They have been one of the more consistent teams in the big tournament. Though they are yet to win a World Cup, they have played two finals (2015 and 2019) and six semi-finals, which speaks volumes about them.
New Zealand holds some brilliant World Cup records which are very difficult for other teams to overcome. The highest individual score by a batter in Cricket World Cup is held by Kiwi opener Martin Guptill (237 not out) against West Indies. However, in this article, we will talk about the list of highest World Cup totals for New Zealand.
Highest Total in Cricket World Cup for New Zealand
| Score | Overs | Inn | Against | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 401/6 | 50 | 1 | Pakistan | Bengaluru | 4 Nov 2023 |
| 393/6 | 50.0 | 1 | West Indies | Wellington | 21 Mar 2015 |
| 383/9 | 50 | 2 | Australia | Dharmasala | 28 Oct 2023 |
| 363/5 | 50.0 | 1 | Canada | Gros Islet | 22 Mar 2007 |
| 358/6 | 50.0 | 1 | Canada | Wankhede | 13 Mar 2011 |
| 331/7 | 50.0 | 1 | Kenya | Gros Islet | 20 Mar 2007 |
| 331/6 | 50.0 | 1 | Sri Lanka | Christchurch | 14 Feb 2015 |
| 322/7 | 50 | 1 | Netherlands | Hyderabad | 9 Oct 2023 |
| 309/5 | 60.0 | 1 | East Africa | Birmingham | 7 Jun 1975 |
| 307/8 | 50.0 | 1 | Netherlands | Vadodara | 17 Feb 1996 |
| 302/7 | 50.0 | 1 | Pakistan | Pallekele | 8 Mar 2011 |
| 299/6 | 42.5 | 2 | South Africa | Auckland | 24 Mar 2015 |
| 291/8 | 50.0 | 1 | West Indies | Manchester | 22 Jun 2019 |
New Zealand (358/6) vs Canada in 2011
The third highest World Cup score for the Black Caps was registered in the 2011 World Cup in India. It was the game at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai against Canada. It started with Canada winning the toss and deciding to bowl first. Martin Guptill got out after scoring 17 runs. But New Zealand had a 96-run partnership for the second wicket. Brendon McCullum scored a brilliant century and made 101 off 109, including 12 fours and two sixes.
Skipper Ross Taylor made a 36-ball fifty and scored 74 off 44 balls, with six fours and five sixes. Late cameos from Kane Williamson (34*), Scott Styris (35 off 25), and James Franklin (31* off 8) helped New Zealand reach 358/6 in the first inning. Canada also had a few good knocks in the middle. But they reached only 261/9 and lost the game by 97 runs.
New Zealand (363/5) vs Canada in 2007
New Zealand’s second highest World Cup total also came against Canada. This was registered during the 2007 edition, held in West Indies. It was the 18th game of the tournament in Group C in Gros Islet. Batting first, New Zealand got off to a flying start with a 142-run opening stand between Lou Vincent and Stephen Fleming. Vincent made 101 runs, with nine fours and one six. Fleming also scored 66 off 67, with 8 fours and one six.
Peter Fulton (47), Scott Styris (28), and Jacob Oram (35* off 27) also contributed well. Brendon McCullum smashed a 20-ball fifty and made an unbeaten 52 off 21, with one four and five sixes. New Zealand reached a huge total of 363/5. That was a big target under World Cup pressure. In response, Canada were bowled out for 249 runs and lost the game by 114 runs.
New Zealand (393/6) vs West Indies in 2015
The highest World Cup total for New Zealand came when Martin Guptill scored a double century in the 2015 edition. It was the fourth quarterfinal of the tournament between New Zealand and West Indies in Wellington. The Blackcaps won the toss and batted first. Guptill looked in great touch and started his counterattack from the very first over. He added some good partnerships with the batter in the middle order.
Guptill reached his hundred off 111 balls and completed 150 runs from 134 balls. Then, he scored his and New Zealand’s maiden ODI double hundred off 152 balls. He made 237 not out from 163 balls, with 24 fours and 11 sixes, and registered the highest World Cup and second-highest overall ODI individual score. New Zealand made 393/6. Ross Taylor was the second-highest scorer with 42 runs. In response, West Indies made 250 all out and lost the game by 143 runs.