McCullum said New Zealand proved how good a side they can be by taking an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match One-Day International series against England. PHOTO: AFP
Martin Guptill’s New Zealand record 189 not out – the opener’s second successive unbeaten hundred – was the cornerstone of the Black Caps’ total of 359 for three that was behind an 86-run win at Southampton on Sunday.
That gave them an unbeatable 2-0 lead in a three-match series ahead of tomorrow’s clash at Trent Bridge.
“It’s very, very special for the guys involved in the team — and something we will savour,” said McCullum, who rediscovered his batting form with an unbeaten 40 in an undefeated fourth wicket stand off 118 in just 50 balls with Guptill.
“The boys are delighted to come over here and play against a team as good as England, in their own conditions, and have wrapped the series up after two games. We’ve done it in a fashion that shows how good a team we can be.”
Guptill’s latest innings saw him surpass Lou Vincent’s previous New Zealand record of 172 against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo in 2005, and was the joint-fifth highest score in ODI history.
“The batting was outstanding to see,” McCullum said of Guptill’s 155-ball knock, which featured two sixes and 19 fours. “We all know his striking ability, and when you couple those two aspects together I’d probably say it’s as good an innings as we’ve seen in one-day cricket from New Zealand.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 4th, 2013.
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