The ultimate test for Guptill

It's easy to forget Martin Guptill has been playing international cricket for less than a year.

The stylish opening batsman announced himself on the world stage in dramatic fashion back in January, plundering the second highest score on one-day international debut, 122 not out against the West Indies.

And Guptill has continued in that vein, his 738 runs at an average of 41, earning him selection in the world one-day team of the year.

But he's yet to really nail test cricket.

In five tests the 23-year-old is yet to raise his bat for a half-century and averages 26.77.

His talent alone suggests that will only improve, starting with the first test against Pakistan in Dunedin on Tuesday.

"It's just the patience," Guptill said. "I'm still young, I've still got a lot of years ahead of me. As soon as I figure it out I'll be sure to use it and see how we go in the tests. It's a hard transition, I'm still learning that but looking to really get involved in these tests coming up."

The first test pitch at the University Oval is expected to offer some early assistance to the quicks and Guptill is well aware of the obstacles ahead of him.

"They've got that young 17-year-old [Mohammad] Aamer who's really coming to grips with international cricket," Guptill said.

"He's going to be good for them in years to come. Being 17, he's got a lot of years ahead of him and he bowls at a good clip as well. He can get it up to around the 145km mark and we'll just be looking to play him as well as we can.

"And they've obviously got Umar Gul, who's not a bad bowler as well. I think that [pairing] is going to be key for them and later on in the innings, if the ball starts to reverse, they've mastered it and they'll be looking to use that."

Indeed, Gul raised New Zealand eyebrows when he took 5-6 in the world Twenty20 tournament in June, gaining prodigious swing.

Daniel Vettori asked questions at the time and it seems Gul's spell still lingers in the minds of the Black Caps batsmen.

"There's been talk about it – getting the ball to reverse swing after 10 overs in a Twenty20, you've got to ask questions," Guptill said.

"But he'll just look to hit his areas, all day, every day. We've just got to look to counter that and play him as well as we can."

New Zealand and Pakistan appear evenly matched on paper but a glance at the history books suggests anything but.

There have been 45 tests played for six New Zealand wins, 21 losses and 18 draws.

"It will be tough but I believe that we're good enough to get a result on the board."

AT A GLANCE

Name: Martin James Guptill
Born: September 30, 1986, Auckland
Major teams: New Zealand, Auckland, NZ Academy, NZ under-19s
Five tests: 414 runs at an average of 26.77. Highest score 49
22 ODIs: 738 runs at 41. HS 122 not out
12 Twenty20s: 239 runs at 23.9. HS 45 not out
Did you know: Guptill has only two toes on one foot as the result of a forklift accident

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