Flashback: Team with the fastest 100 in ODIs
At Christchurch’s Hagley Oval on December 28, 2015, New Zealand left fans and experts stunned with a resounding ten-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in a One-Day International match with the fastest team 100 in ODI history, coming off in a mere 6.3 overs.
From the very beginning, the day held the promise of thrilling cricketing action. Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat, but little did they know the challenges they were about to face against New Zealand’s formidable bowling attack.
In a matter of moments, their choice seemed ill-fated as New Zealand’s Matt Henry struck with precision, decimating the Sri Lankan top order. Meanwhile, Mitchell McClenaghan’s skilful left-arm bowling, with pace and bounce, contributed three vital wickets, leaving the opposition in a state of disarray as they were bundled out for just 117 runs.
Sri Lanka’s batters struggled to find their footing, with their highest score coming from the bat of No. 8 batter Kulasekara at a mere 19 runs.
New Zealand blasts Sri Lanka away
What transpired next was an astonishing batting exhibition courtesy of New Zealand’s Martin Guptill. Being brutal on the Sri Lankan bowlers, Guptill blazed his way to a half-century in just 17 balls, a remarkable achievement that brought him within touching distance of the world record for the fastest 50.
His unbeaten 93 runs were amassed from just 30 balls, a display of power hitting that included an impressive eight sixes and nine fours. Guptill’s breathtaking performance rightfully earned him the Player of the Match. New Zealand claimed their twelfth consecutive home victory in that match.
The rapidity of New Zealand’s triumph caught everyone off guard, including the caterers who scrambled to prepare an early lunch, as the match concluded in just 36 overs, for which even they were not prepared.
