Martin Guptill grateful for New Zealand backing

Martin Guptill expressed his gratitude to the New Zealand coaching staff and management for backing his ability after the opener scored a much-needed century on day one of the first Test against Sri Lanka.

Guptill endured a disappointing tour of Australia, but kept his place in the Test side at the top of the order for the first game of the two-match series in Dunedin.

The 29-year-old showed what he is capable of by making a superb 156 - his first Test century for over three years - as New Zealand closed on 409-8 on Thursday after being asked to bat first at the University Oval.

Guptill was elated to see his usual positive approach pay off and was thankful to get another chance to prove he belongs on the Test stage.

He said: "I tried to go out and be as positive as I could be.

"To be able to show good intent, be able to rotate strike, and get some good partnerships going - that helped me to get through the day. I'll take a lot of confidence from it."

He added: "The coaches and management have been good to me, and have given me a good run in the Test side. I thank them very much for that.

"Today I guess capped off a lot hard work over last 18 months to get back in the Test side. A lot of that was with Martin Crowe (his mentor). Today it came together."

Guptill, whose century was only his third in the longest format of the game, was well supported by the prolific Kane Williamson (88) in a 173-run second-wicket partnership, while captain Brendon McCullum made a 57-ball 75.