Martin Guptill retires from international cricket

sanjeev

khelja|08-01-2025

Martin Guptill has announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket. The 38-year-old represented the Black Caps in 367 games across formats (198 ODIs, 122 T20Is, 47 Tests).

Guptill is currently the leading run-scorer for his nation in T20Is (3531 runs in 118 innings at a strike rate of 135.70). In ODIs, with 7346 runs to his name at an average of 41.73, Guptill is positioned behind Ross Taylor and Stephen Fleming in the 50-over run-scoring charts for New Zealand.

He is currently plying his trade for Auckland Aces in the 2024-25 edition of the Super Smash. It is expected that he will continue to play in domestic T20 franchise tournaments for the foreseeable future.

Guptill is currently leading from the front for the Auckland Aces in this season's Super Smash and will continue to ply his trade in T20 franchise cricket for the foreseeable future.

In a sentimental statement, he thanked his teammates, coaches, manager, family members, and fans for being through the thick and thin with him in his cricketing journey.

"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. 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 teammates 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. A special thanks must also go to my manager Leanne McGoldrick - all of the work behind the scenes never went unnoticed and I'll be forever appreciative of all your support," stated Guptill, as quoted by New Zealand Cricket.

"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 New Zealand and around the world for all their support throughout the years," he added.

Guptill became the first New Zealander to register an ODI double-century. This memorable milestone came against the West Indies at the 2015 edition of the Cricket World Cup. He blasted a ferocious unbeaten 163-ball 237 in the quarter-final in Wellington. It was the same opposition against which he burst onto the international scene in 2009. He became the first Kiwi player to notch a century on ODI debut. Guptill's two T20I hundreds came against South Africa at Buffalo Park and Australia six years later in Auckland, in 2012 and 2018, respectively.

He revolutionalised fielding standards in New Zealand cricket and world cricket in general. Over his majestic international career, Guptill hung onto a total of 222 catches. His direct-hit from deep backward square-leg to shatter India's hopes of making it to the final of the 2019 World Cup was one of the most iconic moments in the history of world cricket.

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