ZCZC
BSP-12
CRICKET-NZL-SRI
Guptill has blast as New Zealand post 371 against Sri Lanka
TAURANGA, New Zealand, Jan 3, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Martin Guptill celebrated
his return to the New Zealand line-up with a masterful century as New Zealand
posted 371 for seven in the first one-day international against Sri Lanka in
Tauranga on Thursday.
James Neesham, also recalled to the New Zealand side, marked his return
with five sixes in one over on his way an unbeaten 47 off 13 deliveries.
Guptill, who had been sidelined by injury in recent months, blasted 138
off 139 deliveries after captain Kane Williamson won the toss and opted to
bat. There were 14 sixes in the New Zealand innings, six of them from Neesham
and five from Guptill who also smacked 11 fours in the course of his 14th ODI
century.
Guptill became the ninth fastest batsman to reach 6,000 ODI runs during
his innnings, achieving the milestone in his 160th match at an average of
43.67.
Williamson was also in sight of a century until he miscued an attempted
late cut and chopped a short Nuwan Pradeep delivery on to his stumps and was
out for 76 while Ross Taylor made 54.
Neesham took 33 off the penultimate over when he smacked Kusal Perera for
five sixes, a single and a two with the two coming off one of five no balls
from full tosses above waist height.
Lasith Malinga, who finished with two for 78, fired three full tosses
above waist height but escaped censure while Pradeep received an official
warning after firing one high full-toss at Taylor.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1130 hrs