New Delhi:
Martin Guptill continued his purple patch in the series against Bangladesh as he slammed his second consecutive century to help New Zealand win the second ODI by eight wickets and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Guptill, who blasted 117* in the first ODI in Napier which New Zealand won by eight wickets, was in great touch at Hagley Oval after Lockie Ferguson’s 3/43 and a couple of wickets from Todd Astle (2/52) and James Neesham (2/21) restricted Bangladesh to 226 all out. In response, New Zealand lost Henry Nicholls for 14 but Guptill was joined by Kane Williamson and the dup scored at over six runs an over. Guptill, in particular, was severe on offspinner Mehidy Hasan as he launched him for two sixes.
The right-hander slammed four boundaries in Mashrafe Mortaza’s two overs as he reached his fifty off just 33 balls. Williamson gave him good company and Guptill raised the tempo after surviving a review. A six and a four off Sabbir Rahman followed by another six off Mahmudullah helped Guptill near his century and he notched it up by tucking a short ball from Mustafizur Rahman to the fine leg fence. Although Guptill fell for 118, Williamson’s 37th fifty ensured New Zealand sealed the win.
Guptill’s 16th century tied him with Nathan Astle in the second spot among New Zealand cricketers with most centuries. Astle took 223 matches to hit 16 centuries while Guptill has achieved it in just 168 games. Ross Taylor heads the list with 20 ODI centuries in addition to 46 fifties, which are the most by any New Zealand player.
Guptill’s back-to-back centuries against Bangladesh will be a welcome relief for the player who struggled in the ODI series against India. In four games, he was out in the power play managed just 47 runs at an average of 11.75 as New Zealand lost an ODI series against India for the first time in 10 years. With the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup coming closer, Guptill will be aiming to seal his spot with another great show in the final ODI which will be held in University Oval, Dunedin on February 20.
