Martin Guptill's 180* levels series 2-2

Sport Desk: Martin Guptill produced New Zealand's individual highest chasing innings of 180 not out off 138 balls to secure a seven-wicket victory over South Africa with 30 balls to spare at Hamilton.

His heroics helped level the five-match one-day international series 2-2 with a decider set for Auckland's Eden Park on Saturday.

Alongside Ross Taylor (66 off 97 balls) the pair put on 180 for the third wicket, a record for any partnership against the Proteas in ODIs and second on the overall list.

They helped chase down 280.

In his 12th ODI century, Guptill delivered some of the cleanest hitting at a New Zealand cricket ground, which says something given his past pedigree. The innings included 11 sixes and was made all the more special because it was his first appearance since recovering from a hamstring strain suffered during the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy.

Business will be booming for chiropractors and physiotherapists across the Waikato tomorrow, due to cricks in patrons' necks.

The ball was drawn like a magnet to the middle of Guptill's bat as he saturated his wagon wheel.

Taylor was due recognition, too. He stuck with his teammate through a period which included taking a review of a successful Dwaine Pretorius lbw shout when he was on 62.

Captain Kane Williamson also deserved credit for not wasting the review when he was adjudged lbw to Imran Tahir for 21. The temptation to save his wicket must have been strong. He and Guptill reached the right consensus decision because the ball was deemed to be hitting the stumps.

Agencies


risingbd/Dhaka/Mar 1, 2017/Nasim