The Black Caps were handsomely rewarded for their selection loyalty to opener Martin Guptill when the much maligned right-hander plundered a New Zealand best 237*, to guide his side to victory over the West Indies and into the Cricket World Cup semi-finals.
Guptill was constantly under fire prior to the tournament; criticised for his slow starts and inconsistent form, he was fortunate that his team were winning games, buying him more time, and affording him the luxury of an extended time in the side to work on his game. It paid off in spectacular fashion tonight at Wellington’s Cake Tin stadium. Guptill’s double is the first by a New Zealand batsman, and comfortably tops Chris Gayle’e earlier tournament effort as the highest ever World Cup score.
It was breathtaking viewing. Straight drives, powerful leg side flicks and exceptional square cuts personified the impressive control Nuptial had on proceedings, and set the tone for New Zealand’s 393 for 6, Facing the first and last ball of the innings, Guptill got his runs in conventional fashion. No reverse sweeps, switch hits, paddles or scoops, just excellent cricket shots perfectly placed and timed well. The 237 featured over 160 runs in boundaries with 24 fours and 11 sixes to Guptill’s name.
To an extent the fabulous innings masked another bizarre Ross Taylor innings – his tournament strike rate is now languishing at just 60.88 – and papered over some Brendon McCullum form cracks too. Mccallum departure early again, this time for just 12, but it should have been Guptill departing early. Third ball of the game Marlon Samuels put down a catchable chance, that would go on to cost them some 233 runs. (Not quite the most expensive drop in ODI history as Rohit Sharma was also put down on 4 when he amassed 264). Williamson solidified for a moment but then fell to an Andre Russell slower ball for 33. That brought Taylor to the crease, who is now a major worry ahead of their South African semi-final showdown at Eden Park on Tuesday. He scratched his way to a useful 40 in the circumstances, but looked afraid of getting out, afraid of trying to up the ante, and was part of a host of running between the wicket mishaps. The running was eventually his downfall as a misunderstanding led to his run out, but also allows the Black Caps to insert Corey Anderson, Grant Elliot, Luke Ronchi and Dan Vettori who all pitched in.
Guptill’s effort was only marginally short of the entire West Indies team effort as they came out swinging in an aggressive pursuit of the ominous total. Perhaps thinking it was still a Pool game and net run rate was important the Windies went at better than 8 runs an over throughout. Despite regular wickets the West Indies to a man swung wildly at anything loose in a tactic that unsettled New Zealand and saw them concede far too many boundaries. Even the ever reliable Vettori took some tap. Gayle’s 61 was a highlight, as were Trent Boult’s four wickets and Vettori’s spectacular boundary rope catch to dismiss Marlon Samuels.
None of those players could overshadow man of the match Martin Guptill though. New Zealand make another World Cup semi-final but for the first time enter it with a real belief that they could win it. They head to Auckland for Tuesday’s encounter along with the three other strongest teams in the tournament. Cricket fans desperately hoping for semi-finals that are closer than the quarters were.
New Zealand 393 for 6 (Guptill 237*, Taylor 3-71) beat West Indies 250 (Gayle 61, Boult 4-44) by 143 runs
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