A familiar face turned up on Tuesday as West Indies held their training session ahead of the T20 International series against New Zealand. Martin Guptil, the former New Zealand opening batsman, was seen dressed in full West Indies training kit and a Miami Marlins baseball cap. It raised some eyebrows and caught the attention of cricket observers on social media who questioned Guptil’s presence.
CWI belatedly issued a statement on its WhatsApp platform to the media to update on Guptil’s inclusion in the team’s preparations. It read: “NB: former New Zealand opener Martin Guptil is part of the backroom staff for the two matches in Auckland to aid with local knowledge”.
West Indies will start the series with back-to-back matches at Eden Park in Auckland. The first contest is on Wednesday night (2:15 a.m. Barbados Time). The two teams have played some exciting encounters at the historic – including two ties.
In 2006, West Indies played their first ever T20I and the match was decided by the first bowl-off in international cricket history which New Zealand won. On Boxing Day, 2008 the match was decided by a super over – which West Indies won thanks to some sensational power-hitting by Chris Gayle.
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