Martin Guptill's 14th ODI century helped propel the BLACKCAPS to a whopping 371-7 in the first ODI. PHOTOSPORT

BLACKCAPS prevail in Bay Oval runs-feast

Posted Thursday, 3 January, 2019 in Match Reports

Video Highlights

A sublime century from returning opener Martin Guptill helped the BLACKCAPS claim a 45-run win and a 1-0 ODI series lead despite a spirited chase from Sri Lanka at Bay Oval.

Scorecard

Guptill’s 138 from 139 balls included 11 fours and five sixes and saw him move into fourth spot on the all-time ODI run charts for New Zealand.

 Guptill shared in a 163-run stand with captain Kane Williamson (76) while Ross Taylor (54 off 37) kept the scoring ticking through the middle overs.

Jimmy Neesham made an impressive return to the batting crease with some late order fireworks, smashing 47 off 13 balls which included five sixes in an over to help the BLACKCAPS to 371/7 from their 50 overs.

Undaunted by the massive task ahead of them, Sri Lankan openers Niroshan Dickwella (76) and Danushka Gunathilaka (43) put on 119 for the first wicket.

Neesham was once again to the fore with the ball, accounting for the opening two wickets before finishing with figures of 3-38 from eight overs.

The visitors momentum didn’t stall when the openers departed with number three Kusal Perera delighting the 6248 strong crowd at Bay Oval with a blistering 82-ball century.

However, when Perera was finally dismissed late in the chase, Sri Lanka couldn’t keep up with a rising required run rate, eventually dismissed with the last ball of the penultimate over for 326.

It was also a special night for wicketkeeper Tim Seifert who claimed four catches on his ODI debut.

AS IT HAPPENED...

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