In the 1987 Cricket World Cup, an India-Pakistan final was anticipated. However, both these teams lost their semi finals. The final was fought between Australia and England. Under the captaincy of Allan Border, Australia defeated England by 7 runs at Eden Gardens stadium. New Zealand along with Zimbabwe, Australia and India was placed in Group A. Out of the initial 3 group matches, New Zealand lost 2 matches and won 1 match. The possibility that this team would reach the semi final was bleak.
Group match against Zimbabwe
New Zealand played its fourth group match on 23rd October 1987 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The opponent in this match was Zimbabwe. In the stipulated 50 overs, Zimbabwe accumulated 227 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. Andrew Pycroft faced 46 deliveries and cracked 52 runs. Stephen Boock bowled 10 overs and took 2 wickets for 43 runs. New Zealand overcame Zimbabwe’s total in 47.4 overs and posted 228 runs for 6 wickets. The main contribution came from Jeff Crowe who amassed 88 runs in 105 balls. Ali Shah took 2 wickets while giving away 34 runs in 10 overs. New Zealand won this match by 4 wickets. Jeff Crowe was honored as the Man of the Match. 
Group match against Australia
New Zealand and Australia clashed in a group match for a second time in the 1987 Cricket World Cup on 27th October 1987 and the venue was Sector 16 Stadium, Chandigarh. Australia batted first and accrued 251 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 50 overs. Geoff Marsh had a lion’s share in this total. He posted 126 runs in 149 deliveries. Willie Watson bowled 8 overs, conceded 46 runs and claimed 2 wickets. New Zealand failed to chase this target and succumbed to 234 all out in 48.4 overs. John Wright battled out 61 runs in 82 deliveries. Allan Border made 2 dismissals for 27 runs in 7 overs. Australia won this encounter by 17 runs and Geoff Marsh was selected as the Man of the Match. 
Group match against India
On 31st October 1987, New Zealand played its final group match and the opponent team was India. Incidentally, this was the last group match in Group A. The venue was Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur. In the 50 overs, New Zealand collected 221 runs for 9 wickets in the complete quota of 50 overs. Dipak Patel managed 40 runs in 51 balls. Chetan Sharma bowled 10 overs, conceded 51 runs and made 3 dismissals. India easily chased this target and in 32.1 overs recorded 224 runs for the loss of 1 wicket. Sunil Gavaskar remained unbeaten on 103 in 88 balls. Willie Watson took 1 wicket while giving away 50 runs in 10 overs. India won this match by 9 wickets. Sunil Gavaskar and Chetan Sharma were jointly awarded the Man of the Match prize. 
Out of the 6 group matches, New Zealand won 2 matches and lost 4 matches. Thus, it was given 8 points and was ranked 3rd in the Group. So, it could not reach the semi final and had to exit from the tournament.