Vettori hails composed Guptill

Martin Guptill brings up his hundred with a towering six

Martin Guptill has made a great first impression on New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori.

Guptill, who was brought in to replace the axed Jamie How, joined a rare group of cricketers when he scored a century on his one-day international debut in the washed out fourth match against West Indies.

The 22-year-old’s superb innings of 122 not out on any other day could have provided the platform for a New Zealand win after the hosts reached 275 for four in 50 overs.

But instead rain halted play with the Windies on 64 without loss chasing a revised target of 235 in 40 overs, leaving the series tied 1-1 with all to play for in Napier on Tuesday.

Guptill’s knock at Eden Park was the second highest score by any player on one-day debut and the highest by a New Zealand batsman.

Vettori was full of praise for the controlled manner in which the young batsman went about things.

“I think Martin’s innings was one of the best I’ve seen in a long time,” the New Zealand skipper said.

“Just the composure of the guy to come in for his first game and not look to accelerate at any stage. He just played in a controlled manner the whole time and batted exceptionally well.”

Guptill, who was only promoted to opening the innings when Jesse Ryder was dropped for the match after missing a team meeting following a late-night drinking session in Wellington, showed few nerves throughout his 135-ball innings which included eight boundaries and two sixes.

One of those was a huge hit off Chris Gayle’s spin bowling into the West Stand which took him from 97 to three figures.

“It was a spur-of-the-moment thing,” Guptill explained. “At first I thought I’d got under it too much but then it kept going and I was just really happy to get the hundred.

“I had an idea (I was approaching a century) but I was just trying not to think about it and I just kept trying to turn over the strike and eventually get there.

“It was just a great feeling and great to have done it in front of my family.”

Guptill and Ross Taylor put on 144 runs for the third wicket

The Auckland batsman did enjoy some good fortune, however, as he was dropped three times – on 15, 21 and 33.

“That’s how cricket goes, isn’t it? Some other day those could stick and I could have got out early.”

Instead he and Ross Taylor produced a well-crafted 144-run third wicket stand before Taylor was bowled by Fidel Edwards for 75.

It was Taylor’s second successive half-century following his unbeaten 51 in Wellington and his skipper was delighted.

“The last innings he played in Wellington I said was the best innings I’d seen him play,” Vettori said.

“Coupled with what he did today - the maturity he showed to get through that initial tricky stage against bowlers who were starting to get on top and then push through to the end - it’s so pleasing for me as captain to see the progress of a guy like him.

“Most of it is down to him and working on his game. So it will be pleasing for him as well knowing he can play in that style and get results.”

Brendon McCullum (26) endured another frustrating day at the office, this time edging one to Denesh Ramdin off the bowling of Lionel Baker, who took 2-29.

“I know Brendon’s a bit disappointed,” Vettori said. “He’s a guy who desires success more than anyone I’ve met so I know he’ll get through this bump in the road and hopefully that starts in Napier.”

Ryder will return for that match with Guptill dropping to number three, meaning there is no place for Mathew Sinclair, who managed just two runs in another disappointing return to international cricket.

Vettori explained: “Mathew was here with the understanding he was coming in for one game to cover for Jesse.

“Unfortunately he didn’t continue on his form from domestic level but he’s another one of those guys who has been so impressive at that level that he keeps knocking on the door.”