New Zealand’s Martin Guptill (right) who scored a century embraces team-mate James Franklin after New Zealand won the first one-day international cricket match against England at Lord’s cricket ground in London, England, yesterday.
LONDON, United Kingdom: Martin Guptill’s unbeaten century saw New Zealand return to winning ways as they beat England by five wickets in the first one-day international at Lord’s yesterday.
Opening batsman Guptill made 103 not out, his third century in 70 ODIs, as New Zealand, chasing 228 for victory, finished on 231 for five with 19 balls to spare.
Victory left New Zealand 1-0 up in a three-match series ahead of tomorrow’s second ODI in Southampton.
Guptill could only look on as New Zealand were reduced to one for two after James Anderson struck twice in the first over of their reply
Luke Ronchi was out for nought on his New Zealand debut, having previously played for Australia where he grew up, after Graeme Swann held a sharp second slip catch off Lancashire seamer Anderson.
Two balls later Kane Williamson also fell for a duck, superbly caught low down by diving wicket-keeper Jos Buttler.
Just a few weeks ago, New Zealand’s last visit to Lord’s had seen them collapse to 68 all out in a 170-run first Test defeat.
And further batting failures were behind a crushing 247-run loss that saw England complete a 2-0 Test series whitewash at Headingley on Tuesday.
But thoughts of an equally dramatic slump yesterday were stilled by a third-wicket stand of 120 between Guptill and Ross Taylor (54).
Guptill had a reprieve when on 13 he hooked first change Chris Woakes down to long leg.
But a back-pedalling Tim Bresnan, who was not right back on the rope, failed to hold the chance and deflected the ball for a six.
However, the third-wicket duo’s stand did end when Taylor was caught behind to give Anderson his third wicket of the innings.
England, without injured fast bowlers Stuart Broad (knee) and Steven Finn (shin) for the first two matches of this series, later saw Surrey quick Jade Dernbach, often expensive on his previous international appearances, brilliantly driven for six over long-on by Guptill.
Another six, also off Dernbach, took Guptill into the 90s. On 99 Guptill came through a leg before appeal from Bresnan after England incorrectly challenged Aleem Dar’s original not out decision.
Still on 99, Guptill was then beaten on the outside edge by Bresnan, the ball going for four byes to leave the scores level.
But next ball he hit the winning runs to complete his hundred with a pulled four off Bresnan. AFP
