In-form Guptill earns test recall for New Zealand

Monday, 6 April 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Reuters: Martin Guptill has been recalled to the New Zealand test squad for the two-match tour of England after the top-order batsman finished top scorer at the recent 50-over cricket World Cup. Guptill, whose last test wa

s also in England two years ago, scored 547 runs in nine matches at the event co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia, earning him a place in the squad announced by selectors on Saturday. New Zealand lost to Australia by seven wickets in the World Cup final on 29 March. “This is a stable, established test side but there will be opportunities for contenders,” Coach Mike Hesson said on the New Zealand Cricket website (www.blackcaps.co.nz). “Martin’s a classically styled batsman and there’s really no reason why he can’t be as influential in the longer game as he is in the short,” Hesson added of a player who averages just 29.62 in 31 test appearances. Brendon McCullum has been named captain of the 15-player squad but will miss the two warm-up matches ahead of the opening test at Lord’s on May 21 due to domestic cricket commitments, with wicketkeeper B.J. Watling taking charge of those contests.