Cricket: Guptill, McCullum have day to remember

Martin Guptill was the best of the NZ batsmen on the opening day of the first test. Photo / NZPA

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Martin Guptill finally revealed a character trait some had long suspected as New Zealand took a vice-like grip on the one-off cricket test against Bangladesh today.

Guptill's career-best 189 confirmed that, yes, there is indeed significant substance behind a batsman until now noted for lacking starch to match his style.

It had not been evident to those outside his inner circle as eight previous tests in the top order returned him a meagre average of 23, but Guptill put that right at Seddon Park with a commanding maiden test century in his first outing in a new middle order role at No 5.

He was not alone in steering New Zealand to a position of strength at 553 for seven declared, with Brendon McCullum riding shotgun as he also took full toll of a threadbare Bangladeshi attack to set a new benchmark for a New Zealand wicketkeeper with a vibrant 185.

They combined in a record stand of 339 for the sixth wicket, the third best of all time for any nation and the third highest partnership for any wicket for New Zealand.

Bangladesh showed their liking for the pitch as well, racing to 87 for one before an early close forced by poor light, with opener Tamim Iqbal on 56 not out off just 48 balls and his partner Imrul Kayes back in the shed for 28 after edging to slip off spinner Dan Vettori.

But New Zealand are clearly in the box seat, thanks to Guptill and McCullum, who formed a mutual admiration society as they dissected their performance.

Guptill raised his modest record at the highest level when saying he felt relief after being named in this team despite the demotion down the order.

"I was lucky to still be in the side after a lacklustre start to my career but to get that first hundred is fantastic," Guptill said.

"To go past 150, there was a lot of emotion there. Hopefully I've cemented my place for a while now."

Guptill and McCullum showed an understanding forged during their opening partnership in the national one-day team and both said their ability to rotate the strike helped when Bangladesh cut off the flow of boundaries with their deep field settings.

Guptill, 23, and McCullum, playing his 50th test, delighted the statistically minded as they ticked off a number of milestones after joining forces yesterday with New Zealand in some bother at 158 for five.

They were not parted until late in today's second session when McCullum, with 17 fours and three sixes next to his name after 321 minutes at the crease, played all around a straight ball by Rubel Hossain.

Guptill followed soon after, getting a thin edge to an attempted pull stroke off the same bowler, ending 442 minutes of almost immaculate strokeplay that rewarded him with 18 fours and one six.

Rubel's two strikes enabled the 20-year-old paceman to earn his first five-wicket haul in his fifth test, ending with figures of five for 166 off 29 overs on a flat surface tailormade for runscoring.

But in the absence of any sun, the spotlight shone brightest on Guptill and McCullum, who ground the Bangladeshis to a standstill with barely a false stroke in sight.

They resumed this morning on 80 and 58 respectively with their team on 258 for five and set about taking the game out of Bangladesh's reach with a blend of Guptill's regal touches and McCullum's muscular street smarts.

It was an irresistible combination, one style complementing the other as they showed a similar streak of discipline to leave Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan bereft of ideas for long periods as he was forced on to the defensive.

For the most part Al Hasan was rendered helpless as Guptill and McCullum exposed the bowling attack on a pitch which suited their needs, runs coming freely from the outset this morning as they rotated the strike at will and peppered the boundaries.

McCullum said neither he nor Guptill were aware of the batting records they approached.

"It was just nice to put a substantial partnership together."

- NZPA