There were plenty of reasons to celebrate for New Zealand's Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum at the end of day two of the one-off Test against Bangladesh in Hamilton. As well as producing a New Zealand record stand of 339 runs for the sixth wicket to help the hosts to a total of 553 for seven declared, Guptill scored a maiden Test hundred (189) and McCullum made his highest Test score and surpassed the highest score by a New Zealand wicketkeeper held by Ian Smith in the process - and all in his 50th Test. "There was a lot of satisfaction," said the 28-year-old glove man. "I've got a lot of scores towards a hundred recently but haven't quite crossed the line." McCullum's 185 eclipsed Smith's 173 scored against India in 1990. "It means a lot to have a record like that," McCullum said. "To go past a guy who is a New Zealand icon in terms of his status in the game is certainly pretty significant. To do it in my 50th Test as well is very nice too."
Guptill's mammoth stay at the crease lasted 444 minutes during which he faced 310 balls, scoring 18 fours and a six. "Getting a first Test hundred is always a great feeling," the 23-year-old said. "To get it batting with Brendon and from the position that we were in, it was fantastic." It was the first time Guptill, who has opened the innings in one-dayers, batted at five but it was a decision that paid huge dividends as he and McCullum put New Zealand firmly in control at Seddon Park.
"(Coach) Mark Greatbatch told me I was going to bat at number five. I was happy to still be in the side after a bit of a lacklustre start to my career so to get that first hundred is fantastic. "Hopefully I've cemented my place for a while now and can just keep the good performances going," Guptill added. After Daniel Vettori's declaration at tea, Bangladesh came out firing in the final session, with Tamim Iqbal racing to his half-century in just 39 balls as New Zealand's bowlers struggled. When bad light ended play early, the visitors were 87 for one with Imrul Kayes' the only wicket to fall. * PA Sport
