Martin Guptil confirms retirement from international cricket

Martin Guptil has officially confirmed his retirement from international cricket after last playing for New Zealand in October 2022. Guptil, 38, will continue to feature in T20 competitions around the world.

Guptill is currently in action for Auckland in the Super Smash, New Zealand's domestic T20 competition, and has also declared for the PSL draft, where Islamabad United have the option to retain him.

Guptill leaves the international stage as a white ball great for New Zealand after putting in a good performance 7346 runs in 198 ODIs – only Ross Taylor (8607) and Stephen Fleming (8007) scored more in the format for the Black Caps. In T20I cricket, he is still New Zealand's highest run-getter, with 3531 in 122 games with an average of 31.81 and a pass percentage of 135.70.

Guptill also played 47 Tests from 2009 to 2016, although he did not have as much success in the longest format, scoring 2586 runs at 29.38.

“As a young child, 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 I made wearing the silver fern along with a great group of guys.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to all my teammates and coaching staff over the years, especially Mark O'Donnell, who has coached me since Under-19 level and has been a source of ongoing support and wisdom throughout 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 have been my biggest supporter, my rock and rock through all the ups and downs. downs that come with the game, I am eternally grateful.

“Finally, I would like to thank all the cricket fans here in New Zealand and around the world for all their support over the years.”

Guptill had made an immediate impact on his ODI debut in January 2009when he smashed 122 not out off 135 balls against the West Indies in Auckland. Six years later, in 2015 ODI World Cup Quarter Finals at home, Guptil hit an unbeaten 237 off 163 balls against the same opponent. Only India's Rohit Sharma has done that a higher individual score in ODI cricket.

Guptill's explosive knock at the top during the 2015 ODI World Cup – he scored a top score of 547 runs – played a crucial role as New Zealand reached the final, which they lost to Australia at the MCG.

Four years later, Guptill was in the top spot as New Zealand lost the 2019 ODI World Cup Final to England with Lord without actually losing it. After trapping 19 off 18 balls in regulation time, he returned to bat alongside Jimmy Neesham in the Super Over but ran out off the last ball as England won the title on boundary count.

It ended up with Guptil and his teammates from New Zealand. “Neesham batted really well and if Guppy had been the man in this situation I would have backed him every day of the week,” Taylor said. told the Cricket monthly as he talks about that nerve-wracking finish. “But you know, Archer bowled really well and Roy made a good delivery to Buttler. But at the same time he was disappointed as a team and disappointed for my teammates and Guptill. But hopefully he's still proud of what he did in the team.” to get us there and doesn't put too much pressure on himself to do so.”

While Guptill wasn't at his best with the bat during the 2019 ODI World Cup, he was certainly at his best in the field during the rain. semi-final against India. He launched a rocket hit after running in from deep square leg and MS Dhoni fell just short. That run-out helped New Zealand reach their second consecutive ODI World Cup final. Earlier in the tournament, in a league match against Australiahe had taken a blinder at the leg gutter to send Steven Smith back.

Guptill was then part of the New Zealand team that advanced to the T20 World Cup Final in Dubai in 2021. Guptill was also part of the T20 World Cup squad in Australia in 2022 but was not allowed to play as Finn Allen was preferred to him. .

In November 2022, Guptill gave up his central contract in New Zealand to become a freelancer. Since then, he has played in the Australian Big Bash League, Pakistan Super League, Caribbean Premier League, UAE ILT20 and Nepal Premier League.

When 'Thank You Gup' Day was celebrated in Auckland in January last yearwhen the Eden Park Outer Oval turned into the 'Martin Guptill Oval' for a Super Smash testimonial game, it felt like Guptill's retirement party.

But he returned for the 2024/25 Super Smash and started the season with scores of 31 off 23 balls and 60 off 35 balls for Auckland. Tom Latham, who witnessed Guptill's most recent fifty from behind the stumps for Canterbury and has also opened the batting with him for New Zealand, paid tribute to the outgoing hero.

“On his day, Gup was world class and his sharp ball striking and timing could take out the best bowling attacks in the world,” Latham said. “His numbers speak for themselves but it is the games he helped us win that I will remember, along with the way he set the standard on the field. I wish him all the best for what the future holds and I hope he to see you again.” soon around a cricket field.”