BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — New Zealander Martin Guptill believes his fourth-straight season in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) could be his best ever.

   The 29-year-old featured for Guyana Amazon Warriors in the first two seasons and then for new franchise St Kitts and Nevis Patriots last year.

   For the upcoming season, he will once again turn out for Amazon Warriors in a campaign he hopes will be a successful one.

   “I’m really excited. I’ve been here three years in a row and it’s going to be my fourth year this year. So I’m really looking forward to getting over there,” the right-hander said.

   “Even from the very first CPL it was an extremely exciting atmosphere, and to be out there in the middle and witness the crowd having a great big party is pretty special to watch and it’s something I’ve really enjoyed being involved with.

   “The atmosphere that the crowd brings is pretty special and makes the whole tournament. Every game that we play is a sell-out crowd and the crowd are having a lot of fun and make the atmosphere that much more fun for the players to be involved with, so I can’t wait to get back there.”

   Guptill has been in great form this year for New Zealand, scoring five half-centuries across both the Twenty20 and One-Day International formats. In fact, he has scored 273 runs in his last five ODI innings at an average of 54, over the last three weeks.

   An attacking player who bats at the top of the order, Guptill said he was a big admirer of Brian Lara and had been inspired by the legendary West Indies batsman.

   “Growing up, I was probably in the era of watching Brian Lara play. He played with a lot of flair and he was a seriously good player,” Guptill said.

   “So, watching him was fantastic and seeing some of the stuff that he achieved in Test cricket and One-Day cricket was incredible. Being a part of the Caribbean Premier League, knowing that he plays a part with the Trinidad & Tobago team is pretty special.”

   The CPL is set to bowl off in June but specific dates are yet to be released.