Martin Guptill bids adieu to Interntional Cricket cementing his legacy as a white-ball great for New Zealand.
Martin Guptill has officially confirmed his retirement from international cricket, having last played for New Zealand in October 2022.
Guptill has signed up for the PSL draft, where Islamabad United has the opportunity to sign him, and is currently playing for Auckland in the Super Smash, New Zealand’s local T20 league.
With 7346 runs in 198 ODIs, Guptill departs the international scene as a white-ball legend for New Zealand; only Stephen Fleming (8007) and Ross Taylor (8607) have scored more for the Black Caps in the format. He continues to be New Zealand’s top scorer in Twenty20 International cricket, with 3531 runs in 122 games at a strike rate of 135.70 and an average of 31.81.
Although he didn’t have as much success in the longest format, Guptill played 47 Test matches between 2009 and 2016, amassing 2586 runs at 29.38.
“As a young kid it was always my dream to play for New Zealand and I feel incredibly lucky and proud to have played 367 games for my country,” Guptill said in an NZC statement. “I will forever cherish the memories made wearing the silver fern alongside a great group of guys.
“I want to say a huge thanks to all my team-mates and coaching staff over the years, in particular Mark O’Donnell who has coached me since the Under-19 level and been a source of ongoing support and wisdom over my career.
“To my wife Laura and our beautiful children Harley and Teddy – thank you. Thank you Laura for the sacrifices you have made for me and our family. You’ve been my biggest supporter, my rock and my counsel through all of the ups and downs that come with the game. I am eternally grateful.
“Finally, I’d like to thank all the cricket fans, here in NZ and around the world for all their support throughout the years.”
When Guptill made his ODI debut against the West Indies in Auckland in January 2009, he made an instant impression by clattering 122 not out off 135 balls. Guptill hammered an undefeated 237 off 163 balls against the same opposition six years later in the 2015 ODI World Cup quarterfinals at home. In ODI cricket, Rohit Sharma of India is the only player with a greater individual score.
During the 2015 ODI World Cup, Guptill’s explosive hitting at the top—he amassed a record-breaking 547 runs—was crucial in helping New Zealand advance to the final, where they were defeated by Australia at the MCG.
When New Zealand lost the 2019 ODI World Cup final to England at Lord’s without really losing it, Guptill was in the hot seat four years later. He and Jimmy Neesham returned to bat in the Super Over after being trapped leg before wicket for 19 from 18 balls in regular time, but they were run out off the final ball as England won the title on a boundary count.
Martin Guptill was at his best in the field during the rain-soaked semi-final match against India, even though he wasn’t at his best with the bat in the 2019 ODI World Cup. Running in from deep square leg, he caught MS Dhoni short with a hard hit. New Zealand advanced to their second consecutive ODI World Cup final thanks to that run-out.
Guptill’s glittering Black Caps career will be acknowledged during the team’s third ODI against Sri Lanka at Eden Park on January 11.