CLEAN SWEEP

How Black Caps made history when wh thrashing India Ind

The Black Caps have cemented themselves in the history books, and this time, it’s for the right reasons. The New Zealand ODI cricket squad looked to accomplish what the test team did not, with an impressive 3-0 series sweep of India, claiming a five-wicket victory at Mt Maunganui’s Bay Oval on Tuesday night.

Thanks to the likes of Martin Guptill (66 off 46 balls), Henry Nicholls (80 off 103) and Colin de Grandhomme’s unbeaten 28-ball 58, the Black Caps’ successful chase of 297 has rewritten cricket history.

Their whitewash over India was the first time the Black Caps managed three consecutive ODI opening stands of 85 or more. It was also India’s first bilateral series whitewash this century. New Zealand’s two highest successful chases against India have come in this series — 348 in the first match and 297 in the third. Their best chase against India previously was 281.

India’s top-three batsmen averaged only 21.66 — their lowest in any series or tournament since 2014.

Meanwhile, India’s bowlers produced their second-worst average in an ODI series of three or more matches at just 114.60.

Speaking on the side’s incredible result, Black Caps batsman Henry Nicholls credited the successful partnership between him and teammate Martin Guptill.

“We’ve been lucky enough to put on some good partnerships and the way he played today allowed us to get ahead of the run chase,” Nicholls said. “I think that was important heading into the back end. It was pretty cool to bat with him out there — obviously his experience helps me.

“He’s scoring so quickly I can just sort of stand there. It’s just so clear for him, and the way we talk, we want to put them under pressure, and you sort of play second fiddle for a bit there.

“We’ve been fortunate enough for all three games to put on a good opening stand which is important for us as a batting unit.”

The Blacks Caps will hope to continue their run of top results in the first test against India starting next Friday at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

The second of the two-test series will start on February 29 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.