Guptill eyes New Year joy against Windies

Opener Martin Guptill is hoping to mark his first match at Queenstown with a big innings to help New Zealand get their one-day series against the West Indies back on track after two false starts.

Guptill admits he suffered from nerves in the two-wicket loss in the opening match at Eden Park after an injury-enforced six months out of the side.

Rain then ruined the chances of the hosts squaring the ledger at Napier meaning victory on New Year's Day is essential if they are to keep alive their hopes of winning the five-match series.

"It's in the back of everyone's mind, but we have to take it one ball at a time out in the middle. If we do what we do well, we're going to get the results that we want," the 27-year-old said.

He managed just two runs on his return to the international arena as the reunited opening pair of he and Jesse Ryder failed in Auckland and the rest of the batting line-up followed suit to fall for 156.