Guptill’s got a new string to his bow

NEW Zealand captain Kane Williamson admitted even the Black Caps were taken by surprise as opener Martin Guptill proved their secret spin weapon to clinch a 2-0 series win over Zimbabwe in the final Test.

Guptill, who had taken five Test wickets in 42 matches previously, caught everyone out by returning figures of 3-11 off seven overs – claiming the scalps of Zimbabwean captain Graeme Cremer, Sean Williams and Craig Ervine to help seal a 245-run win in Bulawayo.

“We thought maybe he has been practicing a bit when no-one has been watching, because we don't see him bowl too much in the nets,” joked Williamson.

“The wicket was suited to spin, but to be able to put the ball in consistent areas and spin it hard as a part-time offie is something that’s fantastic to see and another string to his bow.”

Centuries from Tom Latham (136), Ross Taylor (124) and Williamson (113) saw the tourists declare on a mammoth 582-4 in the first innings before Ish Sodhi took a career-best 4-60 off 21.4 overs to remove Zimbabwe for 362.

Zimbabwe skipper Cremer was especially magnanimous in defeat given the hosts, in the absence of DRS, were victims of numerous questionable umpiring decisions, including four in the morning session of the fourth day.

“The guys have seen the replays but it’s one of those things. It can happen to any team,” said Cremer.“It would have been nice to go into the last hour with a couple of wickets but these things happen.”

New Zealand added to their sizeable lead by declaring on 166-2 in the second innings to leave the hosts needing 387 for victory. And Zimbabwe’s hopes of batting out the fourth day began to diminish when Guptill made Ervine (27) his first victim. From that point the hosts collapsed from 112-5 to 132 all out.