Guptill’s chance to regain test spot

New Zealand batsman Martin Guptill has one more day to force the selectors’ hands.

The first test against England starts at Lord’s in London on Thursday night (NZ time) and Guptill could well force his way into one of the opening positions with a big knock on the final day of the warmup match against Worcestershire at New Road in Worcester.

He will resume on Sunday night (NZ time) on 61 not out.

With incumbent openers Tom Latham (3) and Hamish Rutherford (8) already back in the hutch, Guptill – one of New Zealand’s stars at the one-day World Cup – has a prime opportunity to reclaim a spot in the test lineup.

His aim will be simple – bat all day.

After the first day was washed out, New Zealand will resume the fourth and final day on 89-2 in their second innings – an overall lead of 59 runs after some middle-order resistance from the English county side resulted in them snatching a 30-run first-innings lead.

New Zealand owned the first session on the third day with a dominant bowling performance, led by Neil Wagner (2-17), Matt Henry (2-71) and Doug Bracewell (2-47), to have their hosts reeling at 143-6 at lunch, in reply to New Zealand’s 261-9 declared.

But Worcestershire fought back thanks to Ross Whiteley’s unbeaten 103 and contributions from Ben Cox (35) and Ed Barnard (26 not out), and claimed a lead of 30 runs when they declared at 291-7.

Guptill then helped restore the New Zealand XI’s advantage to 59 runs with eight wickets in hand, following the early loss of Latham, who was caught at leg slip, and Rutherford, who was undone by Moeen Ali’s first ball that pitched on middle and leg and spun to hit the top of offstump.

Ross Taylor (13) will resume with Guptill when the final day’s play starts.

Earlier, Corey Anderson, who returned from the Indian Premier League ahead of this match for his first appearance of the tour, finished with figures of 0-38 from eight overs.

The opening day of the fixture was washed out by heavy rain which reduced it to a threeday match, meaning a result on the final day is unlikely.