New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 45 runs
Returned New Zealand batsman Martin Guptill appeared anything but out of touch as he and his team-mates plundered runs in a series-opening 45-run ODI win against Sri Lanka in Mount Maunganui on Thursday.
The Black Caps opener hadn’t played for the national side for 10 months due to injury and admitted prior to play at Bay Oval that he “may be a bit rusty”.
What rust!?
BLACKCAPS 274-3 in the 43rd over. Follow live – https://t.co/wYDlJQaQxf #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/pNLJtJYKTb— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 3, 2019
Instead, he flourished by making 138 – his 14th ODI century – as New Zealand reached an imposing 371-7 from their 50 overs. In reply, Sri Lanka’s brave chase – spearheaded by a masterful century from Kusal Perera – ensured home fans were nibbling their fingernails until late in the night. Guptill shared the spotlight with another returnee, Jimmy Neesham, who smote five sixes in the penultimate over of the Black Caps innings batting first as he blazed his way to 47 not out off 13 balls.
Ross Taylor added a rapid 54 off 37 balls following skipper Kane Williamson’s departure after Guptill and Williamson (74) formed a partnership of 163.
Guptill – who has a career-best 237 not out in ODIs, made in the 2015 World Cup quarterfinal against the West Indies in Wellington – batted for 42.2 overs. He thumped five sixes and 11 fours in facing 139 balls in front of a over 6200 fans on a warm afternoon.
VICTORY by 45 runs for the BLACKCAPS and a one nil series lead!
Super century from @Martyguptill and not a bad return for @JimmyNeesh! #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/am5wQjHgXE
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 3, 2019
