Brendon McCullum went berserk in the first one-day international against Sri Lanka, but Martin Guptill made that blitzkrieg of an innings look like a slow Test match prod compared to his own 30-ball 93 hurricane that swept New Zealand to a massive victory in the 2nd ODI in Christchurch on Monday.
Sri Lanka put in another abject batting performance, getting bowled out for just 117 in 27.overs, as Matt Henry and Mitchell McClenaghan picked up seven wickets between them.
"It was quite embarrassing, a pathetic batting display," Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews said at the presentation ceremony. "We didn't give our bowlers a chance.
"It's unfortunate we couldn't even compete in the first two. We wanted to be positive up front and not lose too many wickets. But our middle order was exposed again.
"There are three more games to turn it around. It was a belter of a pitch, the execution was probably [wrong]. It didn't seam and bounce, just was just bad shot selection."
In reply, Guptill went on a six and four-hitting rampage – he had nine fours and eight sixes – and at one point the fastest half-century and century records were under threat. While those world records did not tumble, what did was Sri Lanka, with the target overhauled in a mere 8.2 overs.
"Richard Illingworth said something like I was getting close with a couple of balls to go [for the fastest 50 in ODI cricket] and then I got a couple of yorkers in there," Guptill said.
"I am pretty happy with the way things are going, and I'll take a 90 not out and the win rather than the fastest 50 and getting out."
