Martin Guptill, one of New Zealand’s most prolific white-ball cricketers, has officially announced his retirement from international cricket. Guptill, 38, made his last appearance for the Black Caps in October 2022 and has since been active in various T20 leagues worldwide.
Currently playing for Auckland in the Super Smash, New Zealand’s domestic T20 competition, Guptill is also signed up for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) draft, with Islamabad United having the option to retain him.
Guptill’s career is marked by his extraordinary contributions to New Zealand’s white-ball cricket. With 7346 runs in 198 One Day Internationals (ODIs), he stands as New Zealand’s third-highest run-scorer in the format, following Ross Taylor and Stephen Fleming. He holds the record as New Zealand’s leading run-scorer in T20 Internationals (T20Is), with 3531 runs from 122 matches, boasting an average of 31.81 and a strike rate of 135.70.
In Tests, Guptill played 47 matches between 2009 and 2016, scoring 2586 runs. While his Test career did not mirror his white-ball success, his contributions to New Zealand cricket remain monumental.
Reflecting on his retirement, Guptill expressed gratitude to his family, teammates, coaches, and fans. “As a young kid, it was always my dream to play for New Zealand. I feel incredibly lucky and proud to have played 367 games for my country,” Guptill said in an official statement.
Highlights of Guptill’s career include his ODI debut in 2009, where he scored an unbeaten 122 against the West Indies, and his record-breaking 237 not out in the 2015 World Cup quarter-final against the same opposition. His performance in the 2015 World Cup helped propel New Zealand to the final, though they were defeated by Australia.
Guptill was also a key figure in New Zealand’s dramatic 2019 World Cup campaign, culminating in the heart-wrenching final against England at Lord’s, decided on a boundary count after a tied Super Over.
In recent years, Guptill transitioned into a T20 specialist, participating in leagues across Australia, Pakistan, the Caribbean, the UAE, and Nepal. Despite stepping away from international cricket, he continued to shine in domestic and franchise competitions.
Tributes have poured in from across the cricketing world, with Tom Latham, Guptill’s former teammate, praising his influence on and off the field. “On his day, Gup was world-class, and his crisp ball-striking could take down the best bowling attacks in the world,” Latham said.
New Zealand Cricket will honor Guptill’s illustrious career during the third ODI against Sri Lanka at Eden Park on January 11. Fans and teammates will have the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of one of New Zealand’s finest cricketers.
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