Martin Guptill creates history at Southampton as records tumble.
New Zealand opener Martin Guptill has created history in helping his side set up a massive total for England in the second game of their one-day intentional (ODI) series.
Guptill became the third Kiwi in history to notch consecutive ODI tons, the other two being Greatbatch (1990) and Ross Taylor (2011-12).
As opoosed to his measured knock at Lords two days ago, Guptill made the most of an ideal batting pitch and a wayward England attack to bat through the innings and finish on 189 off just 155.
The visitors tore the England bowlers apart near the end of their innings, with the last 10 overs producing a staggering 132 runs.
Brendon McCullum was given a license to hit-out and he did so in his usual manner and finished on 40 off 19.
As a result England have been set an improbably 360, the fifth largest total in the history of limited over cricket, for victory to keep the series alive.
Only one other side in the history of one-day internationals has chased a larger total successfully.
Again the lack of depth in the England bowling ranks was the main concern, coupled with sloppy fielding to start the day, as the Black Caps scored at more than 15 in the final five overs.
However, the day did not start well for New Zealand after Luke Ronchi was bowled by an excellent ball from Jimmy Anderson for just two, as the visitors sunk to be 12-1.
But a 120-run partnership between Guptill and Kane Williamson (55 off 63) put the away side back on track before Graeme Swann earned the scalp of Williamson.
England again could not stop the formation of another partnership as Ross Taylor (60 off 54) joined in on the run feast, helping Guptill add 109, before the former was sent packing by Anderson.
Guptill went into triple figures and then hit the accelerator as he brought up his 150 off 141 balls after whipping a slower ball through the on-side to see it crash into the boundary.
From there the England side fell into disarray with an effort by Joe Root to save a catch on the boundary from turning into six, typifying the effort in the field by the home side.
Root held the catch before starting to over-balance, and despite having the presence of mind to throw the ball back infield, he lost it behind him and just picked it up as it touched the boundary.
However, after the incident was replayed and the boundary awarded, Alastair Cook and other England players expressed their disappointment.
But it mattered little as the side was belted across the park putting the Kiwis in the box seat to wrap up the series with a game in hand.
England v New Zealand
Played at Southhampton
Toss won by New Zealand
New Zealand Innings
L. Ronchi b Anderson 2
M. Guptill not out 189
K. Williamson b Swann 55
R. Taylor c Woakes b Anderson 60
B. McCullum not out 40
Extras (b4, lb4, w5) 13
Total (3 wkts, 50 overs) 359
Fall of wickets: 1-12 (Ronchi), 2-132 (Williamson), 3-241 (Taylor)
Did not bat: G Elliott, J Franklin, N McCullum, D Bracewell, K Mills, M McClenaghan
Bowling: Anderson 10-0-65-2 (2w); Bresnan 10-1-73-0 (1w); Woakes 7-0-49-0 (1w); Dernbach 10-0-87-0 (1w); Root 3-0-16-0; Swann 10-0-61-1
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