The New Zealand cricketers are one warm-up game away from the Cricket World Cup and opener Martin Guptill has hit form at just the right time.
Martin Guptill Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Having struggled for runs for much of the summer, the top order batsman has found some much needed form, following up his 76 against Pakistan with 100 for the Black Caps in Monday's washed-out warm-up match with Zimbabwe at Lincoln.
However he received little help from his team-mates, with only Ross Taylor making double figures and the hosts just 157 for seven when play was halted for a final time due to rain at about 2pm.
New Zealand play their final warm-up game against South Africa at Christchurch's Hagley Oval Wednesday, with Guptill set to bring up his 100th one-dayer for the Black Caps.
They then kick off their World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka on Saturday at the same ground.
Guptill said he's buzzing with the tournament days away.
"It's quite scary how fast it's actually come along, and it seems like just the other day we were playing here against Sri Lanka in the one-dayers," he says.
"But we're excited and ready for it. It's going to be a good day on Saturday - it's nice to be able to have that achievement of 100 one-dayers so I'm looking forward to it and hopefully we can get a good result."
