Martin Guptill was delighted to hit his maiden first-class double-hundred, but more importantly help Derbyshire to their first LV= County Championship win in 2015 at Bristol this week.
The 28-year-old New Zealand international treated the crowd at Bristol to a batting master class on Day Two, as he scored 227 runs from 176 deliveries, including 29 fours and 11 sixes, to help the visitors secure a 270-run first innings lead.
Derbyshire duly completed victory on the final day chasing down 142 to win inside 34 overs, with Guptill once again in the runs hitting 31 off 20 balls, including three sixes.
Guptill was delighted to play his part in the win and says he was pleased with the way he transformed his recent one-day form to red-ball cricket for Derbyshire.
“I made the conscious decision in the first innings that if I was to try to bat time and bat properly I was going to nick off and get out quite early, so I thought if I just played a few shots and go hard at the ball I might get lucky and I did get a bit of luck today,” he said speaking to the Derby Telegraph.
“When the new ball came I just thought I’m going to try to hit every ball. It came out of the bat nicely and just came off. Luckily I hit a few gaps and hit a few over the ropes as well.
“I think I play my best cricket when I’m looking to score runs, I’ve shown that in one-day cricket, so I thought if I can keep that sort of form going I might get going and who knows what can happen in four-day cricket.”
It was the first-time that Guptill had scored a double-hundred in first-class cricket, despite hitting 237 not out against West Indies in the World Cup this winter.
Guptill praised fellow Derbyshire batsman Shiv Thakor, who scored 83 in a fifth-wicket stand of 190 with the batsman, and said he was proud of reaching another milestone.
“It was good fun, Shiv played a fantastic hand and played some pretty amazing shots. He’s a good young player and he’s going to be great for Derbyshire for years to come.
“I’m just here to enjoy my time and score some runs. If other things after that happen, I’m happy, but cricket’s a funny game and I could go out tomorrow and nick off first ball.
“It’s taken a few games to get that first-class double-hundred. I got stranded on 195 a few years ago for Auckland so it’s just nice to get over that mark.
“But most importantly it was a great result for the team. The boys toiled hard for four days and showed great character to get the win.”
Derbyshire are back in action on Sunday when they travel to Cardiff for the start of the LV= County Championship fixture against Glamorgan.
The next fixture back at The 3aaa County Ground begins on Sunday 10 May when Derbyshire entertain Northamptonshire. You can save £4 per adult ticket by purchasing in advance of the game. Click here to purchase>>
