Wellington, March 21 (IANS) A jubilant New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum said on Saturday that opener Martin Guptill’s innings will be etched in his memory forever.
Guptill hammered an unbeaten 237 off 163 deliveries to take New Zealand to 393/6 in the World Cup quarter-final. The Black Caps then followed up to bowl out the West Indies for 250, ensuring a comprehensive 143-run victory at the Wellington Regional Stadium here.
“The innings we have witnessed today is probably the best innings I have seen in my life in this form of the game, just sublime. I will never forget it. Everybody here feels the same I guess,” said McCullum at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Guptill's double century is now the second highest individual score in One-Day Internationals (ODI) after Rohit Sharma's 264. It is also the highest score by a player in World Cup history, overtaking Chris Gayle's 215 which the Jamaican scored against Zimbabwe earlier in the quadrennial event.
McCullum said given the way the team is structured, it allows him to play freely up-front adding that they would have to keep on playing aggressive cricket to beat the best.
“The way the team is structured allows me a bit of license at the start. Some days it comes off, some days it doesn't, but that's the way it is. We need to play aggressive cricket to compete with the world's best sides and I am sure the crowd is enjoying the way we are playing,” McCullum said.
During the second innings, veteran off-spinner Daniel Vettori clinched a stunner when he took a one-handed catch inches from the boundary rope to get rid of a dangerous looking Marlon Samuels.
Commenting on it, McCullum said: "Oh I didn't give Dan a chance. You saw the reaction from the boys, the way the boys ran from all over the field.”
Asked if this is the best ever New Zealand side, the skipper said it was difficult to compare different eras but this is the best side he has been a part of.
“It's pretty hard to compare eras. Some outstanding eras but certainly among teams I have played in, this is the best. No disrespect to the legends of the past but I am pretty pleased with the current team," he concluded.
New Zealand now play South Africa in the semi-final at Eden Park, Auckland, on Tuesday.
JEE Main 2022: Freedom to select exam center in JEE Main also ends, exams will be held in hybrid mode in more than 500 cities
As per the detailed description given in the JEE Main 2022 information booklet by the National Testing Agency, this time JEE Main candidates will not be able to select the exam center based on their
The government said- stop Rahul Yatra: the country has to be saved from Corona, Congress said- did Modi go to Gujarat wearing a mask
The central government has appealed to Rahul Gandhi to stop the yatra. For this, the increase of corona epidemic has been cited. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has written a letter to Rahul.
CM Nitish's minister reveals the poll of 'good governance in Bihar, said - some 'worthless' officers are sitting in the state
Madhubani: The morale of criminals is at a peak in Bihar. Criminal incidents have increased unexpectedly in the last few months. The opposition is an attacker on the Bihar government on this issue,
China: Despite the easing of Covid restrictions, there is a shadow of silence in Beijing, with people avoiding going out of the house
Nothing is going well in China at the moment. People have taken to the streets against the zero covid policy of the government. Please tell us that the effect of this protest was seen in 13 big cities
PM Modi Visit: PM Modi will give a gift to Gujarat today, and will inaugurate Chess Olympiad in Chennai
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit his home state Gujarat and the southern state of Tamil Nadu today and tomorrow. During this, many development projects will be inaugurated and the foundation
Akshay Kumar Citizenship: Why did Akshay Kumar have Canadian citizenship, how did he become an Indian now? Know all the rules
On the special occasion of Independence Day, actor Akshay Kumar has good news for his fans. Akshay Kumar has got Indian citizenship. He has shared this information with fans by sharing social media
After the oil and tariff dispute, there will now be reconciliation, a deal finalised between India and America.
The friendship between India and America will soon be back on track. There are indications that the ongoing talks between the two countries regarding the trade agreement are in a very positive phase.
'I will return to the House only when I become CM...', how Chandrababu Naidu became a kingmaker after coming out of jail; read his political journey
It has not been even a year since Chandrababu Naidu was almost removed from the scene of Indian or regional politics. No one expected him to recover, but his heartfelt appeal in a rally during the
Gold Silver Price Today: Decline seen in bullion market; Silver falls by ₹8000, Gold cheaper by ₹1250
Gold and silver prices fell on Monday. According to the Bullion website, silver prices fell by ₹7,940 to ₹2.38 lakh per kg. Gold prices fell by ₹1,250 to ₹1.55 lakh per 10 grams.
Who is Urjit Patel? He had resigned from the post of RBI Governor; now, he will take up responsibility at the IMF
The Central Government has approved the appointment of former Reserve Bank of India Governor Urjit Patel as Executive Director in the International Monetary Fund (IMF). His tenure will be for a period
