Guptill on the charge

A rejuvenated Martin Guptill produced his second century in as many games as New Zealand wrapped up their one-day series against Bangladesh with an eight-wicket win in Christchurch yesterday.

It followed a similar overwhelming eight-wicket victory in game one of the three-match series when Guptill cracked a commanding 117 not out.

This time the opener cut, drove and pulled his way to 118, his 16th ODI century, as New Zealand comfortably knocked off their 227-run target for the loss of two wickets and with 13.5 overs to spare.

Guptill was out of sorts in the recent ODI series against India where tight bowling restricted him to a top score of 15.

But against a less confining Bangladesh attack he scored freely, blasting 14 fours and four sixes from only the 88 deliveries he faced.

After rolling Bangladesh for 226, Guptill and Henry Nicholls made a flying start to New Zealand’s reply, passing through 10 overs at 59 for one while Bangladesh were 32 for two at the same stage of the game. —