The pick of Martin Guptll’s ODI Career

That was pretty special last night.  Scoring 180* in an ODI is one thing, but remember this was on a two-paced, turning pitch, against South Africa, and Guptill had just spent three weeks injured on the sidelines.

He also had the presence of mind and confidence to talk Kane Williamson out of what would have been a futile review.  If that had gone ahead Guptill would have been sawn off for 63, and the result would have been different.

He now holds the three top scores by a New Zealand batsman and they have all come against proper opposition.  Here are some of the highlights.

That 237*.  This is unlikely to ever be bettered.  It was an innings that had everything; a score like that, 24 fours, 11 sixes, the ball disappearing onto the roof at Westpac Stadium, and a bum pat from Chris Gayle.  And it was all in a knock-out game at a World Cup.

 

His second highest score.  A perfectly paced innings setting up a very large winning score.  Probably shaded into third place by last night’s knock given that more batting friendly nature of the pitch.

 

Debut knock.  The match ended up getting rained off, but 122 remains the highest score by a New Zealand batsman on ODI debut.

 

Lone hand, losing cause.  That Chappell-Hadlee series in Australia was tough going, and a real wake-up call for the NZ ODI side.  Chasing 325 at The Gabba was never going to be easy, but Guptill gave it a crack, scoring 114 when it was all falling apart at the other end.  In the end it was scoreboard pressure that got him.

 

World Cup momentum.  That was actually a really important match, played on a pitch that suited Bangladesh, and one that New Zealand only just won.  In the end it took some big hitting from Vettori and Southee to get NZ over the line, but it was Guptill’s innings that set it up.  His next game would be that World Cup Quarter-final.

 

The other time he mowed down South Africa.  Like in Hamilton, this was not on an easy pitch.  In Bloemfontein, in August, and up against Steyn, Philander, Tahir and co.  The hosts had been reduced to 204, but Guptill was having none of it.  New Zealand mowed it down with over five overs to spare and Guptill batted through.