Rain or shine, can’t take a step back, says Guptill

Martin Guptill said that the weather, or how other results go in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, wouldn’t affect the way New Zealand played its cricket.

New Zealand was unlucky to settle for one point against Australia after being in a dominant position in its opening game, and will next face England at Cardiff Wales Stadium on Tuesday. On the eve of the match, neither of the teams could practice outdoors, with continuous rain lashing the ground.

“I've been here before playing for Derbyshire, and it hasn't been great weather then either, but look, at the end of the day we can't control the weather,” said Guptill. “So, whatever happens tomorrow happens. We've just got to deal with it.

“We can't let other results dictate the way we play. We still have to go out and do our things to be aggressive and take it to the opposition. If we take a step back, then we've already lost the game before stepping out there. So we're just going to keep going the way we are.”

Guptill’s partnership with Luke Ronchi at the top of the order proved fruitful against Australia, and he said that in general, he didn’t plan for a target, but played naturally. “I never really know what to set our sights on, to be honest. I just sort of go out and play,” revealed Guptill. “If you have a total in mind and you don't reach it, your team is going to be a bit disappointed. But, look, at the end of the day, if you can set a good platform, 300 is easily achievable, batting first or second. I just sort of play the same way, whoever I'm batting with. Obviously since Brendon (McCullum) has retired, I've become a little bit more aggressive.

“So that's the key, it is just to set a good foundation for the rest of the team to be able to go big towards the end. I guess it gives a bit of stability. If you get two guys at the top that can get away, it can set the game up for a massive total, obviously. And if you lose a couple of wickets early, obviously you need someone to be able to build an innings and relay that platform for the rest of the order to come in and have a go at the end.”

Guptill said he was looking forward to the match against England – a team similar to New Zealand in many ways. “I think it's very much a new-look England side over the last couple of years and it's worked very well for them. It's sort of a similar brand of batting to the way we've gone about our business the last few years as well. So it's probably going to be a pretty exciting game tomorrow and I think fans are looking forward to it.

“We play our way. They play their way, which is a similar brand. And it works for both teams. You know at the end of the day they do their stuff; we do ours. So I don't know about you guys, but I'm looking forward to tomorrow.”

On the frequent comparisons between Joe Root and Kane Williamson, Guptill acknowledged that the two batsmen were similar. “They're pretty similar. I mean, you're not going to go out and blast at a 160 strike rate through the innings where someone like Brendon McCullum will come out and do his thing right there,” he offered. “They'll build an innings. Their batsmanship is ridiculously unbelievable. They know the game inside and out, and their own games, they know where there are areas to hit, where they can to certain bowlers. So it's a master class when they get going.”