Result: BLACKCAPS 307-8 (Martin Guptill 90) beat Australia 148 all out after 24.2 overs (Matthew Wade 37, Trent Boult 3-38, Matt Henry 3-41) by 159 runs
It’s hard to imagine a more emphatic performance than the one the BLACKCAPS put forward in the opening ANZ ODI of the Chappell Hadlee Series against Australia.
Scorecard
The anticipation around the trans-Tasman clash had reached peak level in the days leading in. A record 159 run win (the BLACKCAPS' second biggest run margin against Australia) certainly didn’t disappoint the 25,000 strong crowd at Eden Park.
The 2015/16 home season has been dubbed “The summer of Guppy” and the big-hitting opener only strengthened that reputation with a Man of the Match 90 from 76 balls.
His destructive knock was highlighted by becoming the first player ever to hit a six onto the Northern Stand – a colossal 113 metre strike. More importantly though, he also guided the BLACKCAPS to a more than challenging total of 307 for eight.
The batting performance got a tick, but the bowlers were not to be outdone, ripping through the Australian top order and bowling them out for just 148.
A magic 30-minute period from fast bowling duo Matt Henry (3-41) and Trent Boult (3-38) crippled the Australia response, reducing them to 41 for six after nine overs.
Inside the opening powerplay, the match was all but over.
James Faulkner (36) and Matthew Wade (37) played their shots and saw their side beyond 100, but the BLACKCAPS were never in any danger of losing the match.
Mitchel Santner came on with two wickets required for victory – it would take him two balls to seal the deal and give the BLACKCAPS a 1-0 series lead.
Earlier, Guptill and Brendon McCullum (44) had set a flying pace with the bat, reaching 50 without loss off seven overs.
Two quick wickets stemmed the flow momentarily, but between Guptill and fresh-faced Henry Nicholls, the BLACKCAPS would reach 180-2 inside 25 overs.
It took a special bit of fielding to dismiss Guptill, with a direct hit from Glenn Maxwell running him out in the 25th over.
Nicholls took over the anchor role and remained a steady hand while wickets fell at a steady pace at the other end.
A mistimed pull shot brought about the 24-year-old’s demise on 61, but between him and Guptill the BLACKCAPS were assured of a respectable total.
A late cameo from Santner (35*) also proved handy, as the BLACKCAPS went beyond the 300 mark.
It turned out to be not only a nice milestone, but a total well out of reach of Australia.
The teams head to Wellington for the second match on Saturday where the BLACKCAPS will have a chance to claim the series.
