Though he is undoubtedly one of the best ODI batsman in modern era, his test career so far is rather ordinary. That’s why, even Martin Guptill’s record-breaking performance in an ODI against South Africa is not enough to secure him a test recall.
Guptill smashed an unbeaten 180 off 138 balls as the Black Caps beat South Africa by seven wickets in Hamilton on Wednesday, the highest-ever score by a New Zealander against the Proteas.
But it seems, coach Mike Hesson is still reluctant to include him in test team. “He’s not in the Test side, I think you’ve probably got to look at Martin’s record at the moment and make that decision,” Hesson told Radio New Zealand.
“There’s plenty of examples around the world of players who have been extremely good at one format and not the other, hence there’s three different formats.”
Guptill averages 43.98 in one-dayers but only 29.38 in Tests. He was dropped from the Test squad after last year’s tour of India, where he managed only one half-century in six innings.
Guptill’s 180 helped New Zealand level the ODI series at 2-2, setting up a winner-takes-all clash in the fifth and final match at Auckland’s Eden Park on Saturday.
