AUCKLAND // The fourth one-day international between New Zealand and West Indies at Eden Park yesterday was abandoned because of rain after a sparkling debut from Martin Guptill. West Indies were 64 without loss in the 11th over, in reply to New Zealand's 275-4, when the match was called off because of a second heavy downpour.
The umpires had already set West Indies a revised target of 235 off 40 overs after the first delay, which lasted an hour, but any hopes of a result evaporated when the game was stopped a second time after just 11 more balls. The series, which is locked at 1-1, will be decided by tomorrow's final match at Napier. Guptill, one of four changes to the New Zealand team who won the third match, smashed a century on his one-day international debut to help his side amass an imposing total.
Guptill batted through the entire Kiwi innings to finish unbeaten on 122, the second highest score by a debutant. The record score for a debutant is 148, made by the West Indian opener Desmond Haynes against Australia in 1978. "Martin's innings was one of the best I've seen in a long time," New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori said. "Just the composure of a guy to come in for his first game and not look to accelerate at any stage, he played in a controlled manner the whole time."
The 22-year-old Guptill faced 135 balls, striking eight fours and two sixes, and shared in three valuable partnerships after West Indies had won the toss and invited the home side to bat first. He helped put on 68 with Brendon McCullum (26) for the opening wicket, 144 with Ross Taylor (75) for the third wicket and an unbroken 56 with fellow debutant Neil Broom (24 not out) to push the total to 275.
He showed some early signs of nerves and was dropped three times, on 15, 21 and 33, but survived to become the first New Zealander, and only the fifth player from any country, to score a hundred in his first one-day international. "I can't really describe the emotions," Guptill said. "I was a bit nervy, getting that first run was a weight off my shoulders." West Indies raced to 47-0 inside the first nine overs before the rain started. They added 17 off the 11 balls after restart but could not go any further.
* Reuters
