http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Guptill-c1980– Cricket News Update
An exquisite piece of batting display from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Christopher-Alroy-Martin-c50714 Guptill, the opening batsman, inspired New Zealand to a win over South Africa in the first T20I of the three match series played at the Westpac Stadium, Wellington on Friday, February 17, 2012.
The belligerent batsman played an unbeaten knock of 78 runs, which included five fours and four sixes, from 55 deliveries. It was Guptill’s knock that paved the way for an easy six-wicket victory for the hosts, who were set a target of 148 runs by South
Africa. The right-hander was bestowed with man of the man honours for his relentless efforts in the game.
Guptill, who has been the mainstay in the Kiwis batting line-up over last couple of series, was delighted to make the most of his form and play a part in New Zealand’s win.
The 25-year-old said, “I am feeling good about my form. It is nice to be contributing to the team. We had good partnerships right through and that helped us winning this match. It was great to start on the winning note.”
The Kiwis were the underdogs in the match but they responded very well by uprooting a strong South African contingent in the opening fixture. The hosts are without their regular skipper, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/LRPL-Taylor-c1849 who will not be taking part in the series due to a calf
injury. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/BB-McCullum-c1129, the wicket-keeper batsman, has been given the responsibility of leading the side in his absence.
McCullum lavishing praise on Guptil said, “Full credit to the bowlers and to Martin (Guptill) who's in great form at the moment. He made this chase look easy. We pride ourselves in the field and we have done very well in this series so far. We will look
to do well in the next match, the crowd has been really great.”
Both sides have a day off and will once again lock horns on Sunday, February 19 at Seddon Park, Hamilton for the second T20I. If New Zealand wins the match they will seal the series, however, a win for South Africa will make it a do or die match at Auckland.
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