Blackcap Martin Guptill ready for South Africa's spinners

Martin Guptill's prepared for a spin assault should the South African hand the new ball to the slower bowlers in tomorrow's fourth One Day International in Hamilton.

History suggests the Seddon Park pitch will favour the slower bowlers, but Guptill - who will return to the top of the Blackcaps order for the first time since the first game of the Chappell-Hadlee series on January 30th - will be ready for spin from the first ball.

"I guess as an opening batsman you're used to facing seam up front the majority of the time.  It's just about pulling back and making sure you're playing the ball a bit later," said Guptill.

"They obviously pose a different threat up front; they don't swing the ball as much, they skid the ball on then turn.  You've just got to make sure you're playing the right lines that hopefully aren't going to get you out."

Guptill missed the end of the Australian series and the start of the five game South African series with a hamstring injuries, with the Blackcaps now in must win territory, trailing the Proteas two-one after the 159 run loss in Wellington.

"I'm looking forward to get back in there.  It's exciting, two-one down in the series with two games to win so it can't get much better than that, can it?"

"Coming back in, my role doesn't change in the side.  I'm just going to come back and train for that, just try to fit in as best as I can coming back.  It does feel like it's been a while since I've been with the team.  Hopefully I fit straight back in and nothing changes."

Spin has been a weakness for the big hitting Guptill, who's averaging 45.83 across the summer including the home and away Chappell-Hadlee series and against Bangladesh.

"Had a couple of good nets in the last couple of days but you know that's in the nets, and I haven't faced bowlers in a while.  Today's going to be another level of training that I'm looking forward to getting into, and hopefully get through that pretty well and get that rhythm back that I had earlier in the summer."

Martin Guptill
Guptill's last outing for the Blackcaps was against Australia at Eden Park on 30 January (Photosport image)

The Blackcaps could well go with a three-pronged spin attack themselves with Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi and Jeetan Patel in the 15 strong squad. 

The final decision will come down to the wicket.

"I haven’t been out and had a look at the middle so not really sure what strip or what we’re playing on.  Hamilton does have a tendency to be slow and take a little bit of turn, so you’ve just got to get your head around it and adapt as quickly as you can. 

It's hard to plan a day out, the only way you can adapt is once you get out there and face a few balls and get a feel for the wicket."

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