Martin Guptill smashed seven sixes before missing out on a century as New Zealand secured a 16-run victory over Scotland at the T20 World Cup on Wednesday.
Guptill made 93 runs off 56 balls in the Black Caps’ total of 172-5 in sweltering heat and humidity after fit-again Scotland captain Kyle Coetzer won the toss and chose to field.
In reply, Scotland finished on 156-5 for its third straight Group 2 defeat. Matthew Cross (27) hit five boundaries in one over against Adam Milne in the batting powerplay and Michael Leask scored a brisk 42 not out off 20 balls.
New Zealand’s experienced pacers, Trent Boult (2-29) and Tim Southee (1-24), bowled well but legspinner Ish Sodhi (2-42) proved expensive against Leask late in Scotland’s chase.
Guptill’s power-hitting rescued New Zealand but not before seamer Safyaan Sharif (2-28) had removed Daryl Mitchell for 13 and then found a faint edge from captain Kane Williamson (0) in the fifth over.
Meanwhile, Martin Guptill has revealed that he lost 4kgs during his innings against the associate nation.
Guptill became only the second batter to reach 3,000 runs in T20 internationals after India’s Virat Kohli (3,225) when he flicked Alasdair Evans to fine leg for a six early in his knock.
Guptill completed his half-century off 35 balls before Scotland managed to fight back late in the innings by giving away only 22 runs in the last three overs.