GUPTILL STEERS NZ TO EASY WIN
Champions Trophy warm-up match
Opener Martin Guptill hit a swashbuckling century as New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in their ICC Champions Trophy warmup match played at Edgbaston, Birmingham yesterday. Guptill smashed 116 from just 76 balls inclusive of five sixes and 10 boundaries before retiring as New Zealand overtook Sri Lanka’s total of 356 with six wickets and 23 balls to spare. Guptill took New Zealand to a flying start during their run chase while adding 79 for the first wicket with Tom Latham in 13.2 overs. Skipper Kane Williamson joined Guptill and the pair took the Sri Lankan bowling apart with a second-wicket stand of 157 runs from 15 overs. Williamson hit a belligerent 88 from 60 deliveries before retiring after having hoisted four sixes and struck seven boundaries.
Guptill smashed 116 from just 76 balls inclusive of five sixes and 10 boundaries before retiring as New Zealand overtook Sri Lanka’s total of 356 with six wickets and 23 balls to spare
Neil Broom and Corey Anderson went on add the finishing touches while putting on 84 for the unfinished fifth wicket.
Earlier, opener Upul Tharanga hammered a splendid century as Sri Lanka raced to 356 for eight from their allotted 50 overs after being put into bat. Tharanga hit a 104-ball 110 with three sixes and 13 boundaries and put on 65 runs for the first wicket along with Niroshan Dickwella.
Tharanga added a further 98 for the second wicket with Kusal Mendis who smashed 57 from 50 deliveries inclusive of one six and seven boundaries.
Middle order batsman Dinesh Chandimal also went on to complete a sparkling half century from just 46 balls with one six and six boundaries.
Thisara Perera and Seekkuge Prasanna then added the finishing touches while making useful contributions during the latter stages of the innings. Sri Lanka: 356/8 in 50 overs (Upul Tharanga 110, Kusal Mendis 57, Dinesh Chandimal 55, Kusal Janith Perera 38, Niroshan Dickwella 25, Seekkuge Prasanna 23, Trent Boult 2/47, Tim Southee 2/48) New Zealand: 359/4 in 46.1 overs (Martin Guptill 116 retired, Kane Williamson 88 retired, Neil Broom 37 n.o, Corey Anderson 50 n.o, Seekkuge Prasanna 2/63).(Agencies)