Dynamic duo set to unleash
For a man who’s played some of New Zealand’s most destructive white ball innings, Martin Guptill is more than happy as the support act.
So when he strides out to the centre of Wellington’s Basin Reserve to face Pakistan today, he’ll provide the banter and the straight bat as Colin Munro blazes away merrily.
That’s how the Black Caps’ dynamic duo roll, after suddenly becoming one of world cricket’s most destructive opening partnerships. First one-day international Basin Reserve, Wellington, 11am today New Zealand $1.45, Pakistan $2.60
Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (captain), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Todd Astle, Tim Southee, Matt Henry/Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.
(likely): Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Rumman Raees.
‘‘A lot of it is just banter, taking the mickey out of each other sometimes. Just make each other laugh a bit so we’re not too serious. We’re focused, but not overly. Cricket is supposed to be fun and that’s what we’re trying to do, just have a good time,’’ Guptill said.
Last Wednesday against West Indies the Auckland team-mates created carnage in just their third time combining at the top this home summer: a stand of 136 off 11.3 overs as Munro rushed to a New Zealand Twenty20 international record 47-ball century. Guptill was no slouch, either, blazing 63 off 38 balls at Bay Oval.
It set up some edge-of-the-seat expectation for home fans, with five Pakistan ODIs then three T20s, followed by the T20 tri-series including Australia then five ODIs against England.
‘‘It doesn’t change too much. Our roles are exactly the same in Twenty20 and one-day cricket. We’re going to try and have a bit of a fun and get the innings off to a great start,’’ Guptill said.
‘‘It’s pretty cool when you see someone hitting it as well as Colin and getting the team off to such a flyer. I’m just happy to pitch where I can and just watch from other end when he’s going.’’
Pakistan’s well rounded and varied bowling attack will provide a sterner test, with the big question of whether the openers can maintain the fury for a period of time and provide a launching pad for Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and Tom Latham.
Yesterday’s final training at the Basin was an interesting watch.
Munro only does minimal hitting between matches and departed the nets unhappy with his work, while Guptill seemed to clout everything out of the middle after a lean trot leading up the last match.
‘‘I had a chat to him [Munro] and he wasn’t hitting it as well as he’d like today. That happens. After my 200 at the World Cup [against West Indies in Wellington in 2015] it felt like I hadn’t batted for six weeks, two days later. Today wasn’t his day and hopefully he can come out tomorrow and just whack it again.’’
After heavy rain in Wellington yesterday, game day is forecast to clear for an 11am start but provide a challenge for both sides with southerly winds of up to 120kmh and a maximum temperature of 16degC.
Last time at the Basin Reserve two years ago, before a full house of 6192, New Zealand posted 280-8 with Henry Nicholls topscoring with 82, before Trent Boult took 4-40 to help skittle Pakistan for 210.
Senior bowler Tim Southee quipped it could be hard work. ‘‘If it’s windy then Trent will mark his run up at one end and the rest of us will take turns down the other end.’’
New Zealand look set to play both their spin bowling allrounders Mitchell Santner and Todd Astle, and decide between Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson for the final pace spot.
Pakistan are on a nine-ODI winning streak but have lost their last five against the Black Caps in New Zealand, with key batsman Fakhar Zaman and star bowler Hasan Ali among those set for a brutal welcome to New Zealand conditions.
Said Guptill: ‘‘We have to put the pressure back on them. There’s a lot of confidence in our camp to go out and continue what we did against West Indies.’’