Cricket: Guptill hears the heat

Martin Guptill endured a tough series against South Africa. Photo / Alan Gibson

Martin Guptill can hardly help but hear the criticism when he fails at the batting crease.

The opener's batting too slowly, some say, taking too much of the strike before being dismissed with little to show for his efforts.

One hundred days out from the Cricket World Cup, Guptill is the only opener appeared assured of his spot, much to the chagrin of some cricket fans.

And to those voicing their displeasure? The message is being received loud and clear.

"Every single day when I check Twitter," Guptill said when asked if he was aware of the criticism. "But it's a patience thing.

"You can't go out and hit 100 off 50 balls every day, and I think people are expecting that more and more these days. I don't think they understand the pressures of international cricket, that you just can't do that every day.

"There are a lot of different factors out in the middle so it's just a matter of taking time, and the more time in the middle the easier the run-scoring's going to be."

Guptill has largely found the facet rather difficult in 2014. Removing a brilliant century in the tie against India at Eden Park last summer, Guptill is averaging 23 in nine ODI innings, down on his career average of 38.

But it's the speed with which Guptill is scoring that attracts the most ire on social media and talkback radio. Only twice in 2014 has the opener managed a strike rate over 70, while five times he has failed to crack 50, rarely contributing in a flying start to a Black Caps' innings.

While the slow approach could appear a nature of his role in the side - being frequently paired with a hard-hitting partner must temper his own aggression - Guptill thinks it's more about pure luck.

"My role's just to go out and play cricket, and that's what I'm trying to do," he said. "I was hitting a lot of fielders in the series against South Africa, which was a bit frustrating. But I hit a few gaps for Auckland the other night so hopefully I can continue that and start hitting gaps back in the Black Caps."

Guptill made 64 from 54 balls while opening for Auckland in their Super Smash clash against Otago on Saturday night, a knock he was hoping to replicate against the same opposition this weekend.

"That's what those games are for - getting the form back - and I think I showed on Saturday night that it's slightly coming back. If I can just keep spending time in the middle, the more runs I'm going to score."

Next month's trip to the United Arab Emirates with a New Zealand A squad will also provide extra opportunities in the middle, along with the chance to renew his partnership with Jesse Ryder. Guptill felt a weight of runs would be the decisive factor if Ryder were to earn a recall for the World Cup, a situation he called good for Kiwi cricket.

"If he's scoring run on the pitch, it's hard to keep him out of the side," he said. "I love batting with Jesse. He's a match-winner and a bit of a freak with the bat, so it's going to be nice being at the other end."