Major setback to New Zealand's Champions Trophy hopes as star Kiwi batter announces retirement before marquee event

Martin Guptill, the New Zealand opener has announced his retirement from international cricket after a spectacular 14-year career. At 38 years old, Guptill has 23 international hundreds in all forms, having played 198 ODIs, 122 T20Is, and 47 Tests for New Zealand.

His last appearance for the national team came in 2022, and he departs as New Zealand's leading T20I run-scorer, with 3,531 runs from 122 appearances, making him the country's second-most capped player in the format. In addition, he scored 7,346 runs in One-Day Internationals, ranking third all-time after Ross Taylor and Stephen Fleming.

“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 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.

“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,” said Guptill, who will continue to play in various T20 leagues, in a New Zealand Cricket (NZC) statement.

Guptill, who made his international debut in 2009, became the first New Zealand men's batsman to register an ODI double-century with an excellent 237 not out in the 2015 ODI World Cup quarter-final triumph over the West Indies at Wellington Stadium. He also boasts the distinction of having three of New Zealand's top four individual ODI scores.

In addition to hitting an astonishing 1,385 fours and 383 sixes over his international career, Guptill is famous for his spectacular run-out of M.S. Dhoni during New Zealand's semi-final victory over India at the 2019 ODI World Cup in Manchester.

“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,” said New Zealand Test captain Tom Latham.

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