New Zealand batsman Martin Guptill announced his retirement from international cricket on Wednesday (January 8). This marks the end of his 13-year career (2009-2022) at the age of 38, during which he played 367 matches (198 ODIs, 122 T20Is, and 47 Tests).
He ends as New Zealand’s highest run-scorer in T20Is with 3531 runs and the third-highest in ODIs with 7346 runs, behind Ross Taylor and Stephen Fleming. Guptill scored 23 centuries in international cricket (3 Tests, 18 ODIs, 2 T20Is) and played his final game for New Zealand in an ODI against Australia in September 2022.
Guptill made his debut for New Zealand in ODIs and scored a century in his first match, making 122 not out against the West Indies in Auckland. He was also the top scorer in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, with 547 runs, helping New Zealand reach the final, where they lost to Australia. During that same tournament, he achieved his highest ODI score of 237 runs in the quarter-final match against the West Indies in Wellington.
In 2021, Guptill was also included in the New Zealand team that got to the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the UAE. His final T20I for the Black Caps was against Bangladesh in Christchurch on 12th October 2022.
Guptill was known for his great fielding and was an important fielder in a strong team. One of his most famous moments was when he threw a direct hit to run out MS Dhoni in the 2019 semi-final against India in Manchester, helping New Zealand reach the final.
WHAT A MOMENT OF BRILLIANCE!
Martin Guptill was 🔛🎯 to run out MS Dhoni and help send New Zealand to their second consecutive @cricketworldcup final! #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/i84pTIrYbk
— ICC (@ICC) July 10, 2019
Reflecting on his career, Guptill said, “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.”
The 38-year-old also thanked his wife Laura for all the sacrifices she made throughout his 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.”
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Jasir Basharat is a cricket enthusiast capturing the heart of the game through insightful analysis and storytelling sharing his passion for the sport through engaging narratives. He is a business graduate from University of Kashmir.
