Martin Guptill is getting ready for the upcoming Hero Caribbean Premier League where he will be playing for his new team, the Barbados Tridents. The tournament runs from 8 August to 16 September, and Guptill thinks the Tridents are well placed to compete with a new look squad for 2018.
“I think it’s exciting, there’s some world class players in there, both local and international, so I’m looking forward to getting over there. I’ll be batting again with Dwayne Smith, the way it was in Guyana a couple years ago. You know he’s an exciting player who gives the ball a bit of a whack at the top as well. We’ve got some exciting all-rounders with Shakib al Hasan, Roston Chase also Jason Holder as well so it is an exciting team to be a part of and I am looking forward to getting over there.”
As well as an opening partnership of Dwayne Smith and Guptill there is Hashim Amla in the middle order. Guptill is looking forward to linking up with the South African stroke-maker at this year’s Hero CPL.
I played with Hashim in IPL last year and I got to bat with him in a few games, to watch the master at work down the other end was an experience and I am looking forward to hopefully batting with him again over at CPL.”
Guptill will be playing his home games at Kensington Oval, one of the most famous grounds in world cricket, when the Tridents arrive in Barbados for their five home games between 25 August and 2 September. Tickets for all the matches are selling fast and can be purchased at www.cplt20.com.
“It’s a lovely ground to play. I’ve had a bit of mixed results there but I’m looking forward to getting there. It is one of the iconic grounds of the West Indies so I’ve loved playing there in the past with different teams, and to have it as my home ground this year I’m looking forward to getting out there and hopefully showing the home fans what I can do.”
Guptill has been a Guyana Amazon Warrior player since 2013 and he says he has mixed feelings about playing against a franchise that he feels attached to.
“Amazon Warriors have been good to me for 4 years you know it’s a fresh start for me this year and it’s kind of good for me in a way, I get to experience different people in a different setup and I’m looking forward to getting in to it.
When asked about what makes the Hero CPL so special Guptill said it was the atmosphere in the region that makes it a great tournament to be a part of.
“I guess it‘s the laid back nature of the Caribbean. The people there make it a lot of fun. You’re not putting too much pressure on yourself when you’re over there – you’re just relaxing and enjoying the experience. I guess you could say it’s one of the nicest places in the world to be playing and to be based on Barbados is pretty cool. I’ve loved every minute of being in Barbados, being there with other teams so to be there this year and have it as my home base is pretty cool you know and um can’t wait to get there and get amongst them.” (CPLT20)
