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Sparkling debut by Martin Guptill
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January 10, 2009 13:53 IST

Saturday's fourth one-day international between New Zealand [Images] and West Indies [Images] at Eden Park, Auckland, was abandoned because of rain after a sparkling debut from Martin Guptill.

- Scorecard

West Indies were 64 without loss in the 11th over, in reply to New Zealand's 275-4, when the match was called off because of a second rain delay.

The umpires had already set West Indies a revised target of 235 off 40 overs after the first delay, which lasted an hour, but any hopes of a result evaporated when the game was stopped a second time after just 11 more balls.

The series, which is locked at 1-1, will be decided by Tuesday's final match at Napier.

The fouled weather ruined the prospect of an exciting finish to a match that was evenly poised.

Guptill, one of four changes to the New Zealand team that won the third match in Wellington on Wednesday, smashed a century on his one-day international debut to help his side amass an imposing total.

Guptill batted through the entire New Zealand innings to finish unbeaten on 122, the second highest score by a debutant in a one-day international.

The 22-year-old right-hander faced 135 balls, striking eight fours and two sixes, and shared in three valuable partnerships after West Indies had won the toss and invited the home side to bat first.

He helped put on 68 with Brendon McCullum [Images] (26) for the opening wicket, 144 with Ross Taylor (75) for the third wicket and an unbroken 56 with fellow debutant Neil Broom (24 not out) to push the total to 275.

He was dropped three times, on 15, 21 and 33, but survived to become the first New Zealander, and only the fifth player from any country, to score a hundred in his first one-day international.

The record score for a debutant is 148, made by West Indian opener Desmond Haynes against Australia [Images] in 1978.

Paceman Lionel Baker, one of three changes to the West Indies team, was the best of the bowlers, capturing two wickets for 29 runs in his 10 overs.

West Indies made a bright start to their reply, racing to 47-0 inside the first nine overs before the rain began to tumble.

They added 17 off the 11 balls they faced before play was again stopped, leaving captain Chris Gayle [Images] unbeaten on 46 and Sewnarine Chattergoon [Images] not out on 17.




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