It's been almost a year since one of the most destructive batters - Martin Guptill - in contemporary cricket last played an international game. The veteran right-handed batter might have fallen behind in the pecking order when it comes to his selection in the Black Caps' white-ball squad but his ability to destroy bowling attacks is still very much intact. On August 30 (Wednesday), Guptill swaggered his way to a belligerent century in a Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2023 at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.
Representing Trinbago Knight Riders, the 36-year-old annihilated Barbados Royals' bowling attack and unleashed nine sixes. Guptill, known for his merciless trouncing of bowlers, hit just one four but sent nine deliveries soaring into the stands. On a day when New Zealand's national team was blown away by England in a T20I game, Guptill sent a timely reminder that there is still plenty of gas remaining in his tank.
The veteran remained unbeaten on 100 runs off 58 balls and helped his side post a total of 194/5 in 20 overs. Captain Kieron Pollard proved to be an able ally to Guptill as the muscular batter powered four sixes and a four in his knock of 46 runs off 32 balls.
Barbados Royals' run chase ended soon after it began as the team's batters put on an embarrassing display. Only three batters managed double-digit scores as the team was bundled out for just 61 runs in 12.1 overs. As a result, the Knight Riders won the game by a massive margin of 133 runs.
Waqar Salamkheil bagged four wickets for just 14 runs in his spell of 3.1 overs. Andre Russell chipped in with three wickets while left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein bagged two wickets. Sunil Narine also chipped in with one strike.
The game, however, was all about Guptill rolling back the clock and playing one of his vintage knocks. With the ODI World Cup just over a month away, it would be interesting to see whether the veteran batter gets the nod from the selectors after his latest heroics.
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