Any chance that Martin Guptill will be brought into the Black Caps should Ross Taylor be ruled out of the remainder of the South African test series has been quashed.
Taylor may not play any further part in the first test in Dunedin after being forced to retire hurt with a calf injury while batting at University Oval yesterday.
Ross Taylor is helped from the field after suffering a calf injury. Photo: Photosport
However if a replacement is needed it won't be Guptill with New Zealand Cricket announcing he's about to undergo a six week-long strength and conditioning rehabilitation programme to recover from hamstring injuries which have plagued him this summer.
It means he will miss the rest of the domestic season and the start of the Indian Premier League.
Black Caps coach Mike Hesson is keen for Guptill to try and force his way into the test side as a middle order batsman in the hope that he can replicate the form he has shown for the one day side as an opener.
The plan was for Guptill to bat in the middle order for Auckland in the Plunket Shield.
Martin Guptill celebrates his 12th ODI century. Photo: Photosport
However the New Zealand team physiotherapist Tommy Simsek said "at the moment Martin isn't fit to play and the time we give him now to strengthen his hamstrings will play a big role in mitigating future risk too.
"We've put a programme in place to make sure that Martin can return to full strength and we'll continue to monitor him closely."
"Having Martin fully fit is critical, as we all know the positive influence he has on our side," said Hesson,
"Martin knows this is an important period to get back to 100 percent so that he can be fully confident when he is on the park.
"The Champions trophy isn't far away and we obviously want Martin firing on all cylinders for that tournament."
Guptill will travel to India ahead of the start of the IPL and continue to be monitored by BLACKCAPS physiotherapist Tommy Simsek who will be over there.
