Guptill, Neesham bring out big shots
Recalled all-rounder smacks 34 off an over as Caps set up huge winning total
One hadn't played international cricket since March, the other had been out of the side for 18 months. But for Martin Guptill and Jimmy Neesham yesterday, it was like they had never been away.
Guptill shone in the Black Caps' opening ODI against Sri Lanka with a superb 138, before Neesham blasted an incredible 34 from an over, then took 3-38, as the Black Caps claimed a 45-run victory at Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui.
In between, Kane Williamson (76) and Ross Taylor (54) provided their usual contributions, as the Black Caps again showed their strength in home conditions to ensure Sri Lanka's bowling struggles continued, with the hosts racking up a mammoth 371-7 after winning the toss and batting first.
Having won just 17 of their last 59 ODIs since they last visited New Zealand, Sri Lanka were always likely to battle in this three-match series, but their bowling was incredibly limp as they were ruthlessly plundered all around the ground.
Their batting showed more promise — Niroshan Dickwella (76) and Danushka Gunathilaka (43) added 119 for the first wicket in quick time, and Kusal Perera blasted an excellent 86-ball 102 as Sri Lanka gave the Black Caps some nervy moments. However, the target always going to be too tough, and horrendous innings' from Dinesh Chandimal (10 off 18 balls) and Asela Gunaratne (11 off 23) killed any realistic hope they may have had.
Although Trent Boult (2-65), Matt Henry (1-87) and Lockie Ferguson (2-65) copped some early stick, Neesham dismissed both openers, and Ish Sodhi (2-53) helped increase the required run rate to an untenable position as Sri Lanka eventually fell 45 runs short.
Victory was always an unimaginable outcome, after Guptill led the way in his return to ODI cricket, having missed the Pakistan series due to a calf injury. The experienced opener crafted his 14th ODI century in a splendid innings, barely offering the visitors a chance as he mixed power with placement.
He found a perfect partner in Williamson, and the pair expertly accumulated, playing to all areas of the ground in a partnership of 163. Williamson looked comfortable once again in reaching 76 off 74 balls, to the point where it was a surprise when he departed, chopping on to Nuwan Pradeep.
It seemed a surprise to him, too. He threw his head back in frustration, but Guptill and Taylor carried on where he had left off. Taylor smacked a 34-ball 50, while Guptill became the fifth New Zealander to reach 6000 ODI runs as he crunched 11 fours and five sixes in his 139-ball innings.
He ensured the hosts would post a strong total, but Neesham then turned it into a fearsome chase. The recalled all-rounder blasted five sixes in the penultimate over from Thisara Perera, as part of a phenomenal 47 not out from 13 balls. With the help of a no-ball, 33 runs come from the first five deliveries of Perera’s over, but just as an unthinkable record loomed and six sixes in an over beckoned, Perera finally found his line and Neesham could only swat a single.
A further 15 runs were smacked off the final over, and if not for running out of time, Neesham would have claimed the fastest
ODI 50. However, his contribution didn't end there — with three wickets capping off a dream return to international cricket, and another NZ victory.