Valentine Sperber is a big cricket fan and at just three-years-old is showing some remarkable similarities to one of the best players in the business – BLACKCAP Martin Guptill.
The both love cricket, they’re both from West Auckland, but most extraordinarily, both are without a full set of toes. 
Valentine was involved in a nasty accident last month when he lost a significant piece of his second toe while playing on a slide outside. While some damage was able to be repaired, a part of the toe remains missing as a permanent reminder of the unfortunate mishap.
Guptill himself has a scar or two to show-off as well, having lost three of his toes in a fork-lifting accident at 14. Much to Valentine and his brothers’ excitement, he dropped in to give the bright youngster some words of encouragement, as well as hand over a few goodies.
The 26 year-old assured Valentine that with time the effects would become less and less noticeable and wouldn’t stop him from doing anything.
“It’s pretty cool to see Valentine is in pretty good spirits after the accident and keeping positive about it all,” said Guptill.
“There is a recovery process, but I’m sure that in the long run he won’t let it hold him back from anything – If he wants to become a BLACKCAP all the better!”
*Guptill is currently recovering from thumb surgery and is aiming to be back for the tour to England.
