Martin Guptill joined a rare breed of cricketers to score a century on their one-day international debut here today though his unbeaten hundred was ultimately watered down by the continuation of New Zealand's sodden summer.
Guptill's superb unbeaten 122 might have been expected to provide the platform for New Zealand taking a 2-1 series lead against the West Indies at Eden Park but the weather and a belligerent Chris Gayle -- poised on a threatening 47 from 36 balls -- begged to differ.
An intriguing contest was washed out 10.3 overs into the West Indies chase for a revised victory target of 235.
They were on 64 without loss -- and well ahead of the Duckworth/Lewis calculations -- when a second downpour forced the second abandonment of the series.
New Zealand had earlier scored 275 for four after being asked to bat by Gayle, 22-year-old Guptill showing few signs of anxiety as he became only the fifth player in history to mark his debut by posting three figures.
His 122 is the second highest score made on debut, behind legendary West Indian opener Desmond Haynes, who took 148 from the Australian attack in Antigua in 1978.
Guptill also eclipsed Stephen Fleming as holder of New Zealand's highest innings on debut -- the former captain made 90 against India at Napier in 1994.
McLean Park is now the venue of the five-match series decider on Tuesday, weather permitting.
Having only been brought into the side for the out-of-nick first drop Jamie How on Thursday, Guptill them found himself opening the batting in overcast conditions after Brendon McCullum's regular partner Jesse Ryder was stood down after a drunken night out in Wellington culminated in him missing a team meeting and training session.
Ryder's latest hangover accidentally provided three moments of clarity.
Guptill, his replacement at the top of the order, joins provincial teammate Tim McIntosh -- a maiden test centurion in just his second test against the tourists last month-- among a crop of promising cricketers to emerge this summer.
But for Mathew Sinclair, the comeback curse continues as his latest recall to the side amounted to just two runs from 11 balls. He now makes way for Ryder.
And it was also apparent Ryder's cult figure status has not been diminished by his off-field tardiness -- he was feted by the crowd every time he ferried water to the batsmen.
Guptill was only granted louder applause when he ticked off his milestones -- 50 off 70 balls and then the standing ovation which greeted his six into the West Stand off Gayle's gentle spin. The rare aerial blow took him to 103 from 123 deliveries.
Freed of the nervous nineties, Guptill opened the shoulders to clear the fence again as he and fellow-debutant Neil Broom, who scored 24 from 17 balls, plastered 57 off 35 balls to help add 93 from the last 10 overs.
"I can't really describe the emotions," he said, when reflecting in on an achievement that spanned 135 balls and included eight boundaries.
"I was a bit nervy getting that first run was a weight off my shoulders."
He was also anxious when he took the long handle to Gayle on 97.
"It was a spur of the moment thing, at first I thought I'd got under it too much but then it kept going."
Guptill also experienced the good fortune that deserted How -- he was dropped three times, the biggest let off occurring when he was 15 and Denesh Ramdin poached, and then grassed, an edge bound for Gayle at first slip.
He was also missed by Brendan Nash at 21 and 33 before adding 89 chanceless runs.
Guptill and McCullum added 68 for the first wicket and then Ross Taylor continued his pleasing form with 75 from 87 balls -- the pair adding 144 for the third wicket to set up the final onslaught.
Captain Daniel Vettori was understandably delighted with Guptill's first impression.
"Martin's innings was one of the best I've seen in a long time," he said.
"Just the composure of a guy to come in for his first game and not look to accelerate at any stage, he played in a controlled manner the whole time."
Lionel Baker was the pick of the West Indian attack, bowling unchanged to record two for 29 from his 10 to regulate the run flow tight in the middle stages.
NZPA
