Martin Guptill’s Stellar International Career Comes to an End: New Zealand cricket legend Martin Guptill has officially announced his retirement from international cricket, marking the conclusion of an illustrious 14-year career. At the age of 38, Guptill has left an indelible mark on the sport, having scored 23 international centuries across 198 ODIs, 122 T20Is, and 47 Test matches for New Zealand.
Guptill retires as New Zealand’s highest run-scorer in T20Is, amassing an impressive 3,531 runs in 122 matches, the second-highest appearances in the format for a Kiwi player. In ODIs, he ranks third on New Zealand’s all-time run-scorers list, with 7,346 runs, trailing only Ross Taylor and Stephen Fleming.
Reflecting on his career, Guptill expressed gratitude toward his family, manager, and fans, stating in a New Zealand Cricket (NZC) statement:
“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. 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.”
Record-Breaking Moments in Martin Guptill’s Career
Since his international debut in 2009, Guptill has been a consistent force in New Zealand cricket. Notably, he became the first New Zealand men’s batter to score an ODI double-century, smashing an unbeaten 237 runs in the 2015 ODI World Cup quarter-final against the West Indies at Wellington Stadium.
Guptill also holds three of New Zealand’s top four individual ODI scores and is celebrated for his prowess in boundaries, having struck 1,385 fours and 383 sixes during his international career. His iconic run-out of India’s M.S. Dhoni in the 2019 ODI World Cup semi-final is another unforgettable moment that etched his name in cricket history.
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Acknowledgment and Tributes to Martin Guptill
Guptill’s remarkable contributions will be honored during the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka at Eden Park in Auckland on January 11, a ground where he holds the record as New Zealand’s all-time leading run-scorer.
New Zealand Test captain Tom Latham praised Guptill’s impact, saying:
“I was fortunate to open the batting with him for the Blackcaps over many years, and I often felt I had the best seat in the house to watch him go about his work. On his day, Gup was world-class, and his crisp ball striking and timing could take down the best bowling attacks in the world.
“His numbers speak for themselves, but it was the matches he helped us win that I’ll remember, along with the way he set the standard in the field. I wish him all the best for what the future holds and hope to see him around a cricket ground soon.”
Although Guptill is retiring from international cricket, he plans to continue participating in various T20 leagues around the world, further showcasing his exceptional talent and love for the game.
