Wise words from Crowe help Martin Guptill
Martin Crowe continues to have an influence within the New Zealand
cricket team.
Opener Martin Guptill revealed his work with the former batting great
over the past 18 months has been a significant help as he fought to get
back into the test side. Guptill, whose 156 against Sri Lanka yesterday
was his third test ton, and first in four years, was reluctant to share
the specifics of the relationship but clearly it has paid a dividend.
"I'd probably like to keep what Hogan and I talk about close to the
chest," Guptill said.
"I got in contact with him to help me out. We've put in some hard
yards over that time."
Crowe, also a long-time mentor for Ross Taylor, has been in a long
battle with lymphoma and "obviously it's a lot harder for him to come to
the nets and watch me now but I'm always in contact with him and he's
always given me good advice".
Guptill had a testing time in the recent Australian series but he
repaid the selectors' belief in him. He admitted he took substantial
confidence out of innings.
"I tried to go out and be as positive as I could be, show good
intent, and be able to rotate the strike and get some good partnerships
going. That helped me get through the day." He didn't feel any pressure
to perform, maintaining "I didn't have a lot to lose".
"Today I guess capped off a lot of hard work to get back in the test.
"They [the national selectors] have been good to me, they've given me a
good run and I thank them very much for that."
Guptill shared stands of 173 for the second wicket with Kane
Williamson, and a rapid 89 with captain Brendon McCullum, who scored 75
of them. He saw enough in the University Oval pitch to be encouraged
about what New Zealand's bowlers could get from it.
"The pitch was difficult early on, it took a lot of divots out and
towards the end of the day when it was drying out, the ball started
doing funny things. That's a good sign for us when we start bowling," he
said.
- NZ HeraldBy David Leggat in Dunedin
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