‘’Two Toes’’ as he is fondly known to team-mates as a result of losing three toes in a truck accident, Martin Guptill showed guts and determination not only whilst overcoming the accident but also when he went on to represent his country on the international stage. He is one of the best fieldsmen that New Zealand have unearthed in recent times.
The Auckland-born player arrived on the domestic scene in 2006 scoring a duck in the first innings and 99 in the second in his debut game against Wellington. He went on to play in the 2006 Under-19 World Cup, but came of age in the 2007-08 season when he scored heavily both in the domestic arena and in the ‘Emerging Players Tournament’ in Australia. His performances saw him elevated to New Zealand’s ‘A’ side before a century on ODI debut against the West Indies in 2009 announced his arrival at the international level. Elevated to the opening slot in Tests, the right-hander has been guilty of throwing away his wicket, an area which still needs some ironing out.
A wonderful timer of the cricket ball, his short-arm pull on one leg is a stroke which he plays with ease. His talent, therefore, is unquestionable. However, a dip in form by mid-2010 pummelled his career graph, questioning his place in the side. Guptill realises as well as anyone else in the Kiwi cricket fraternity that there is yet a lot of work that needs to be done in order to dispel those doubts.
The 2015 ICC World Cup was a tremendous tournament for him. Starting on a low, he announced himself with a century against Bangladesh, following it up with a double ton against the Windies. He also ended up as the leading run-getter in the tournament and the man with the most fours in the event.
