26 Dec 2012

Black Caps win second T20

4:50 am on 26 December 2012

Martin Guptill has become just the second New Zealand batsman to score a century in a Twenty20 international, in leading the Black Caps to an eight-wicket win over South Africa.

After being humiliated in the opening match of the series when the Black Caps were dismissed for 86, Guptill restored some pride for the side in making an unbeaten century and hitting the last ball of the match for four to win the game.

Guptill made 101 not out off 69 balls, as the Black Caps reached reach a target of 169 in a match reduced to 19 overs a side because of a floodlight failure.

Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum is the only other New Zealander to reach triple figures in a T20 international.

The South Africans were sent in to bat and made 165 for five which, after the lights went out at Buffalo Park, was adjusted under the Duckworth-Lewis system to a demanding target of 169 runs off a reduced 19 overs.

Guptill also set a new national record for an opening partnership in a T20 of 76 with Rob Nicol before Nicol holed out for 25 off 24 balls.

The deciding match takes place in Port Elizabeth on Thursday.