Guptill will take over from Usman Khawaja at the County Ground

Derbyshire head of cricket John Morris hopes the signing of Martin Guptill could be the start of a strong relationship with New Zealand Cricket.

The Kiwi batsman, 24, has joined for the second half of the 2011 season.

And Morris said his friendship with former Derbyshire player and current New Zealand coach John Wright helped.

Morris said: "John has been massively helpful as have New Zealand cricket. Hopefully we can develop that link - it could be quite lucrative for us."

Guptill will take over from new Australia Test batsman Usman Khawaja for the second half of the County Championship and CB40 campaigns.

Morris added he would like any link "not to just be one way".

"Hopefully we can get players going over to New Zealand to get experience as well," he said. "It would be something I would like to develop.

"The fact I know John as well as I do - because we played in the same team together for a number of years and he is still a big Derbyshire supporter - means I'm sure we can get a nice link going in the future."

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