AUCKLAND – Martin Guptill became the highest-scoring player in Twenty20 international history as New Zealand set a 244-run target for Australia in the fifth match of the T20 tri-series on Friday.
The century-maker smashed nine sixes and six fours to score 105 off 54 balls as the Kiwis finished on 243 for six after winning the toss and electing to bat at Eden Park.
Become the record T20I run-scorer ✅
Score a second T20I century! ✅What an innings @Martyguptill! ? #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/RZ5ZgHr2Ps
— ICC (@ICC) February 16, 2018
Guptill’s 49-ball century was New Zealand’s fastest T20 ton and the team total of 243 equalled the highest ever posted by the Black Caps.
ICYMI: Martin Guptill now holds the record for most T20I runshttps://t.co/5rcypKjm3h #NZvAUS #record pic.twitter.com/mHwDwXnvbB
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 16, 2018
It took Guptill´s international T20 career total to 2,188 runs, surpassing compatriot Brendon McCullum´s 2,140, with India´s Virat Kohli the next highest on the all-time list with 1,956.
Australia are unbeaten so far in the series and will need to be at their best to overhaul the mammoth target and maintain their record.
