Martin Guptill announces retirement from international cricket

New Zealand opening batter Martin Guptill has announced his retirement from international cricket, ending a distinguished career that spanned over 16 years. While stepping away from the international scene, Guptill revealed his intentions to continue playing in various franchise leagues.

Martin Guptill, who amassed over 13,000 runs in international cricket, expressed his pride in representing New Zealand throughout his career. “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,” Martin Guptill said in a statement issued to New Zealand Cricket (NZC).

The 36-year-old retires as one of New Zealand’s all-time greats, ranking as the country’s fifth-highest run scorer across all formats, with 13,463 runs. He trails only legends such as Kane Williamson, Brendon McCullum, Stephen Fleming, and Ross Taylor on the list of New Zealand’s highest run-scorers.

Martin Guptill reflected on the highlights of his career, saying, “I will forever cherish the memories made wearing the silver fern alongside a great group of guys.” He also took the opportunity to express his gratitude to his teammates and coaching staff, particularly Mark O’Donnell, who has been a key figure in his development since his Under-19 days.

“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,” he added.

Guptill also acknowledged the unwavering support he received from cricket fans both in New Zealand and around the world, saying, “Finally, I’d like to thank all the cricket fans, here in NZ and around the world, for all their support throughout the years.”