Guptill slams century as New Zealand pip Ireland

Mumbai, February 12, 2011

By CricketCountry Staff

Martin Guptill slammed a century as New Zealand beat Ireland by 32 runs in a World Cup warm-up match at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium on Saturday. Guptill hit a determined 130 after New Zealand were inserted in by Ireland. James Franklin, Jesse Ryder and Ross Taylor also made useful contributions which helped the Black Caps to post an imposing score of 311 for 6 off its allotted fifty overs.

Ireland started their response on a positive note with the likes of William Porterfield, Ed Joyce and Paul Stirling keeping their supporters interested before fall of wickets at regular intervals put paid to their hopes.

In another warm-up match played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, South Africa pulled off a facile eight-wicket victory over Zimbabwe.

Jacques Kallis, Hashim Amla and Graeme Smith enjoyed good batting practice as they chased down Zimbabwe’ score of 152 with plenty to spare.

Brief Scores: New Zealand 311 for 6 in 50 overs (Martin Guptill 130, James Franklin 49, Jesse Ryder 48, Ross Taylor 33, Trent Johnston 2 for 62) bt Ireland 279 (William Porterfield 72, Ed Joyce 41, Paul Stirling 39, Daniel Vettori 4 for 43) by 32 runs.

Zimbabwe 152 in 41.5 overs (Brendan Taylor 40, Regis Chakabva 35, Morne Morkel 3 for 16, Imran Tahir 3 for 35) lost to South Africa 153 for 2 in 23.3 overs (Jacques Kallis 49*, Hashim Amla 45, Graeme Smith 41) by 8 wickets.

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