Guptill, a 178-ODI veteran, has managed just 167 runs in nine innings this tournament.
Pacer Adam Milne is hopeful struggling opener Martin Guptill will step up for New Zealand in the World Cup final this Sunday (July 14) at Lord's against England.
Out of form Guptill has managed just 167 runs in nine innings this tournament, with his only fifty-plus score, a 73 against Sri Lanka in Cardiff, coming almost a month back. However, Milne has a lot of faith in ability of the man, who has struck 6,607 runs at an average of 42.4 from 178 ODIs.
"New Zealand have the batting firepower. Martin (Guptill) hasn't fired yet, but he is a world-class batsman. He has a double hundred in a World Cup quarter-final just four years ago," Milne was quoted as saying by ICC.
"You can look at it one way and say that he is struggling. Or you can look the other way and say that it is his time to shine. What better place to turn up than in the final? He has a lot of power in there but also no little skill."
The surface for the final at Lord's has a good covering of grass, where New Zealand's flexible bowling attack can genuinely test the strong batting prowess of England. It will be an ultimate battle of supremacy considering both the countries haven't yet clinched that prestigious World Cup title.
"New Zealand come into most games as underdogs and we don't mind that tag. We have played some tight games and it is good to come into the final knowing you have come out on top when it has got tight. The boys will be really excited."
"It is a good thing, we have five guys that have been there and played in a final before and tasted that bitter disappointment. They will be fired up and come out all guns blazing and take it to England. The bowling is key up the top," Milne added.