14 May 2015

Guptill chases Test spot

12:23 pm on 14 May 2015

Runs from Martin Guptill in the final warm-up match against Worcestershire should seal his place as the Black Caps second opener for the first Test against England at Lord's in a week.

The World Cup's top run-scorer will look continue his strong form after scoring a double century for his English county side before being sidelined with a side strain that caused him to withdraw from New Zealand's first warm up win over Somerset.

The Black Caps batsman Martin Guptill during the Cricket World Cup.

The Black Caps batsman Martin Guptill during the Cricket World Cup. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The injury meant the 28-year-old missed his first chance to force his way back into the test side, though incumbent Hamish Rutherford's innings of 37 and 11 have left the door wide open for Guptill's return.

Guptill knows just how important tonight's warm-up match is.

"Pretty key for me I mean a lot of the guys haven't played a lot of cricket in England against the Duke ball so it's a good opportunity for the guys to get out there and face it and bowl with it and get into the English conditions before getting into the real stuff."

Guptill is likely to open the batting alongside Tom Latham in the two-Test series against England.

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