New Zealand’s Martin Guptill showed on Sunday at East London’s Buffalo Park against South Africa that, next to Chris Gayle, he remains one of the most explosive opening batsmen in limited overs cricket.
Guptill’s smash-and-grab 101 not out was the main reason that the visitors managed to secure victory, chasing down a D/L reduced total of 169.
The Kiwis had to endure a nerve-wracking last ball win as a eerie fog swept over the field, with Guptill swinging hard at a Rory Kleinveldt full toss to send the ball over the in-fielders and into the cover boundary.
Guptill raised his arms aloft and stuck out his chest to salute his excited teammates.
This was the Guptill show.
He could also be forgiven for unintentionally turning his back on his batting partner, Colin Munro, during the celebrations – he got too caught up in the moment.
So Munro, who played a crucial role in the third wicket stand, had to piggy-back “Guptill the Great” as he to was overcome with excitement.
After the hammering the New Zealanders received in the first T20, this was sweet revenge.
Guptill hit six sixes and eight fours as he blunted the much-vaunted Proteas attack with his clean hitting. The opener known for his trademark swats over the bowler’s head, showed that the slog sweep was just as effective.
One thwack off the bowling of spinner Aaron Phangiso had Guptill written all over it – a lofted shot into the night sky that soared further over the pavilion behind the bowler, never to be retrieved.
It must be said that the Proteas did not play to their usual high standards. Robin Peterson dropped two catches including one that gave Guptill a reprieve.
Guptill was also caught at square leg when on 87, but Ryan Mclaren’s delivery was adjudged to have been above waist-high and deemed a no-ball after a referral.
Earlier Nicol and Guptill put on an opening stand of 76 – their biggest against South Africa in T20 matches.
After Nicol departed on 25, captain Brendon McCullum walked to the crease, but looked out of sorts, compiling just 17 at just over run a ball.
It is strange he is not opening the batting, as everyone knows how quickly he can get an innings on track.
He scrapped around until hoiking out to David Miller on the long-on boundary. But Guptill kept taking the attack to the South Africans.
One concern however would be the Kiwis’ lack of taking singles when these are up for the taking. Whether it is due to lack of match-fitness or preparation, or just plain tardiness is anyone’s guess. Hopefully the coaches will do something about it.
Henry Davids shone in his opening international for the Proteas and is definitely one to watch for the future. His 55, included drives that were straight and true, and his attacking nature is a boost for the Proteas now that Herschelle Gibbs is no more. Proteas T20 captain, Faf du Plessis continues his rich vein of form. His 63 included a “dilscoop” that actually morphed into a deliberate nudge over short third man with the outside half of the toe of the bat that went for four.
One incident that did detract from the game, was the 50-minute delay due to a power failure. This is something that needs attention by the authorities if the Buffalo Park hamlet wants to retain their international limited overs status.
So that meant it was all to play for in the deciding T20 at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth on Boxing Day.
South Africa, despite the loss are still the favourites, one would be led to believe, but the Kiwis have shown that only a fool would write them off, especially in the shortened version of the game.
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