Ian Smith calls for Martin Guptill's reinstatement in New Zealand's set-up ahead of ODI World Cup 2023

Cricketer-turned-broadcaster Ian Smith wants veteran top-order batter Martin Guptill to be a part of New Zealand’s scheme of things for the upcoming ODI World Cup in India. Notably, New Zealand’s batting has been lacking experience after Ross Taylor’s retirement in 2022 and Kane Williamson’s injury in IPL 2023 has further exacerbated the situation. Thus, Smith wants Guptill to get more opportunities to seal his spot for the mega tournament.

Interestingly, the 36-year-old was left out of New Zealand’s ODI squad which toured India earlier in the year. Head coach Gary Stead previously indicated that they are thinking beyond Guptill and that’s the reason why Finn Allen has been getting a lot of chances at the top of the order. However, the youngster has failed to prove himself thus far and hence, Smith has urged the selectors to think otherwise.

“I get where they're (selectors) going with Finn Allen but you've got to score runs. I'm sorry, he (Allen) just has to show some form for me. I still go back to Martin Guptill. Is his time over? Is he done? Should he just be put out to pasture? I do not know,” Smith was quoted as saying by SEN Radio.

“I probably would have thought yes before Kane Williamson became unavailable with all that experience, all that knowledge, I might have said yes about Martin Guptill. I'm having second thoughts now because Finn Allen ain't doing it for me,” Smith added.

Notably, Devon Conway is the only cricketer in New Zealand’s top order who has enough experience in tackling pressure situations and has played a lot of cricket in India. Now, speaking about him, Smith stated that Conway has too much on the plate as he can’t play the anchor role and also the role of an attacking batter in one go.

“If you look at a player like Conway -- who's tearing it up too in the IPL -- you are really asking him to see off a new ball but belt it to the fence at the same time. There is risk in that, no doubt about it. In 50-over cricket, my late, great friend Martin Crowe said, 'Always let your best batsman face the most deliveries'. I mean, that's his stock-in-trade; let him face the most deliveries, fair and simple,” Smith added.