Guptill by numbers
29.38. 68.6. Tests 47; runs 2586; average Tests 3; runs 343; average his last test before a two-year absence from the side.
“That move [to No 5] went pretty well back then,” Guptill said. “Mike’s thinking is if I am to try to make the middle order spot I have to play a couple of matches before they would consider it.
“I guess the beauty about cricket is you can never say never. The door is certainly not closed on me opening the batting. It’s just another option of trying to get back in the test team.”
Auckland coach Mark O’Donnell is happy to fit Guptill into a new role. He also made it clear he admires Guptill’s determination to get back into test cricket.
“It would be the easiest thing to say ‘I’ll go and play T20 cricket or white ball cricket’. That’s not him at all,” O’Donnell said.
“He’s desperate to get back in the test team and for us it is viable. We can fit him in easily.”
His conversations with Hesson have been positive but the first order of business is to get back into the limited-overs side against South Africa, which starts with a T20 at Eden Park on Friday next week.
Guptill is recovering from a strained hamstring, and he has more physiotherapy and a run today.
He’s unlikely to be available for Auckland, should they make the Ford Trophy playoffs this weekend, but is a chance to play the warmup T20 game against South Africa next Wednesday.
Turning his back, even if temporarily, on opening was a straightforward decision for Guptill, when he considered the bigger picture.
“I just want to play test cricket and be involved in the team and have those special moments when we win test matches and contribute to them when I can. I’ve got to put numbers on the board for Auckland and get that experience so I’m pretty focused on that.”