Martin Guptill makes the run chase look easy against New Zealand easy as he remains unbeaten for 180 from 138 balls. It was one of those days where Guptill can do nothing wrong. Guptill started off the innings on a high as AB de Villiers led South African side could manage to post a target of 280 in the 4th ODI. He scored his 12th century and probably would have reached his second double century had there been more runs on the board to chase.
Guptill made sure that New Zealand reached the target well before. The BlackCaps won the game with 5 overs to spare. Though he was in the main focus all along the second innings, but it was Ross Taylor who had his back on the other end. He scored 66 from 97 balls. Taylor shared a partnership of 180 runs for the third wicket to take the hosts out of the danger after early wickets.
Earlier Dean Brownlie and Kane Williamson got out early on in the innings leaving their team high and dry. But Guptill blasted his way through the run chase hitting fours and sixes, keeping the momentum going in their way. He was given out for 63 as leg-before wicket against Dwayne Pretorious. But, Guptill reviewed the decision and it got reversed.
Guptill’s done it! 180* off 138 balls including 11 sixes helps the BLACKCAPS to a 7 wicket win & draws the ANZ series level 2-2! #NZvSA ^WN pic.twitter.com/Q4IRcTmtj8
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 1, 2017
Earlier, Proteas skipper De Villiers helped his team reach a respectable total giving the bowlers a fighting chance. De Villiers scored 72 from 59 deliveries which included 4 fours and 3 sixes. Wayne Parnell and Chris Morris contributed down the order whereas opener Hashim Amla gave them a good start.
Kane rates Martin’s knock! #NZvSA ^WN pic.twitter.com/ht3p9iBgdf
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 1, 2017
In the post match conference, Williamson ranked Guptill’s knock as one of the best ODI innings he has ever seen. Guptill was named ‘man of the match’. Even De Villiers had heaps of praises for Guptill as he categorised his innings as unstoppable. He also said that he deserves a lot of credit for his fantastic knock.
“He was unstoppable tonight. It was a fantastic knock & he deserves a lot of credit.” – de Villiers on Guptill’s 180* #NZvSA ^WN pic.twitter.com/WWloaTulSV
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 1, 2017
Guptill’s splendid 180 made a strong statement ahead of Indian Premier League 2017 starting April 5. He has been bought by Kings XI Punjab for his base price INR 50 lakhs. Well, they must be very happy after a performance like this from him.
Brief Scores:
South Africa 279 for 8 in 50 overs (AB de Villiers 72, Faf du Plessis 67; Jeetan Patel 2 for 57, James Neesham 1 for 15) lost to New Zealand 280 for 3 in 45 overs (Martin Guptill 180, Ross Taylor 66; Imran Tahir 2 for 56, Kagiso Rabada 1 for 41) with 30 balls to spare.
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