For the first time in what now seems like a millennium, Auckland have had some rain tumbling down after a couple of weeks of beautiful, dry sunny spells.
However, while all residents who are on tank water supply were licking their lips, Martin Guptill was not, during the third ODI between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Eden Park.
Guptill has been struggling for form, but he finally got the monkey of the back with a great unbeaten knock for the Kiwis, who were looking in a pretty good position. However, the rain bit Guptill in the rear, as a big hundred was looming for the Kiwi.
Sri Lanka sent New Zealand in to bat on a dangerously overcast afternoon in Auckland. Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum made a solid start, before McCullum went for a quick-fire 28, with two fours and two sixes.
Guptill would go on though, cementing his name for at least the next match or more. Tom Latham joined him and was seeing ’em well, consolidating with Guptill for a stabilising 42 from 65 balls, which included four crisp boundaries, on a day that was favouring swing bowling.
Ross Taylor couldn’t succeed though, but he had a pretty good view of Guptill’s barrage of shots. Blasting 66 not out, with 4 fours and three sixes, Guptill was definitely in good touch.
His 66 would’ve been comforting for him, giving him confidence after two failures early in the series. Taylor couldn’t join him for long, caught out absolutely plumb L.B.W. in front of middle stump, wasting a review in the process.
Ross Taylor’s dismissal would be the last play of the day, as Billy Bowden and Nigel Llong called for the curators to waltz out with the covers, as rain started descending on Auckland City. With New Zealand at 145/3, the match was then called off after 28 overs.
It was disappointing for Guptill, who was eyeing off a big ton to silence an exponential number of critics who are trying to shoot him down. He has an excellent record, and I am sure he would’ve added to it even more if the rain didn’t persist.
So, the series remains at 1-1 with four matches still to go. The series is proving a good warm-up for the World Cup, and I am sure that both teams are being put through their paces to the full extent.
Also, the Melbourne Stars managed a big victory over the Sydney Thunder in Sydney last night, chasing down the Thunder’s 106 with 33 balls and eight wickets remaining. Kevin Pietersen was the catalyst of the innings, blasting 67 not out from 42 balls to guide his team home.
Australia play India today at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, as part of the second match of the Tri-Series, between the Aussies, India and England!
Eden Park became a swimming pool, after quite a lot of persistent rain. Image: Phil Walter/Getty Images
