Martin Guptill struck the second fastest T20I hundred by a New Zealander as the BLACKCAPS posted 243 from their 20 overs. PHOTOSPORT

Runs-feast at Eden Park

Posted Friday, 16 February, 2018 in International Match Reports

In Short
This game had it all!

A Martin Guptill Century, a record-equalling 32 sixes, a Tui-Catch-A-Million grab and a world-record run chase ... by Australia.

Scorecard

243 runs on the board by the BLACKCAPS after winning the toss and choosing to bat. The party was in full-swing at the halfway mark as the big Eden Park crowd basked in the glory of our boys bashing their way to their joint-highest T20I total, equalling the mark set against West Indies at the Mount just last month. 

49 balls faced by Martin Guptill to raise his second T20l hundred. The second fastest behind Colin Munro, who also chimed in with 76 off 33 at the top. Guptill thumped a whopping nine sixes in his whirlind knock which looked for all money to be a match-winner...

2188 T20I career runs for Guptill - the most by any player in history.

50 thousand dollars for student Mitch Grimstone courtesy of Tui's popular Catch-A-Million campaign. The Wellington clubie grabbed a stunning low left-handed catch off a Ross Taylor six - much to the jubilation of the boisterous crowd. The grab was even more incredible as Grimstone later revealed he is in fact right-handed!

91 runs off the opening power-play by David Warner (59 off 24) and ANZ Player of the Match D'Arcy Short (76 off 44). Their 121 run-opening-stand cut the total down to something manageable and set up what would be a fine chase, although it could have been so different had a couple of early edges found BLACKCAP hands or the stumps ... ohh well!

7 balls to spare when Aaron Finch lofted the 32nd six of the match into the crowd to seal an incredible five-wicket victory.

33 thousand odd fans turned up to Eden Park to see a match for the ages. A terrific atmosphere inside the venue which is sure to whet the appetite again for the final on Wednesday should the BLACKCAPS make it through.

1 day off for the BLACKCAPS before their final pool match against England at Seddon Park in Hamilton. The equation is simple - win and they're in the final. Lose and the calculators will be out!

Social-Media Stream

Tim Seifert - ‘Wellington was the biggest crowd I’ve played in front of, but tonight will beat that again’ #nzvaus pic.twitter.com/l8yHFg5pcL

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 16, 2018

 

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