New Delhi: They missed out on a fairy-tale ending in the previous edition but New Zealand will leave no stone unturned to lift their maiden World Cup trophy this time, says their swashbuckling opener Martin Guptill. New Zealand started the warm-up games with a bang, slaying tournament giants India by six-wickets and 77 balls to spare on Saturday. “I wouldn’t say we are favourites to win the World Cup this time but we have named a strong squad. We know it’s going to be a tough tournament. We are going to try our best, do everything we can to go and win the trophy we missed out on the last time,” Guptill said.
New Zealand have landed in the UK with an experienced and balanced side and the English pitches are likely to suit big hitters like Guptill, who will be crucial to the team’s success. The 32-year-old was one of the key members of the team’s best-ever World Cup campaign when they reached their maiden final in the previous edition. The New Zealand opener was the highest run-getter with 547 runs at an average of 68.37. He also scored an unbeaten 237, the highest individual score at the World Cup, in the quarter-final clash against West Indies. Such performances in big tournaments is what keeps the right-hander pumped and raring to go.
“It was pretty cool to have the second highest score in the World Cup thus far. You always need that kind of confidence going to such a big tournament. I think if you are not confident maybe you probably shouldn’t be turning out. I hope I can continue the form I had last time.”
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