Batsman Martin Guptill is determined to have New Zealand improve on defeat in 2015’s final during this year’s World Cup.

The Black Caps relished a dominant campaign en route to the final four years ago, but were comfortably beaten by trans-Tasman rivals Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

‘The 2015 tournament was really good for us. We played some really good cricket, but unfortunately for us, we played our worst game in the final,’ said Guptill.

‘I have been in three semi-finals and we have managed to win only one of them. The one against Sri Lanka in 2011 we just didn’t play well enough up to our potential on the day, and I think that’s probably what’s happened the previous times we have made the semi-finals.’

New Zealand veterans Daniel Vettori, Luke Ronchi and Brendon McCullum have exited international cricket since the last World Cup, while fresh talent such as all-rounder Mitchell Santner, wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Latham and others have arrived on the scene.

‘To be honest, it’s a completely different team and it’s a different time, it’s four years later, so we need to come together and do what we do, like last time. We have to make sure everybody is gelling well and are having some fun together, because that was the biggest takeaway from last time,’ added Guptill.

New Zealand’s opening match of the 2019 World Cup will be against Sri Lanka at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, Wales, on Saturday.

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