New Zealand's Martin Guptill laments 'disappointing' end of international career

Former New Zealand opener Martin Guptill has formally retired from international cricket, but the seasoned batsman believes he still has a lot to offer New Zealand on a global scale.

In Short

• Martin Guptill retires from international cricket, ends career in 2024
• Guptill said he still has a lot to offer New Zealand on the global stage
• The veteran opener played 367 international matches, excelled in ODIs

Former New Zealand opener Martin Guptill has officially retired from international cricket, but the veteran batter believes he still has much to offer New Zealand on the global stage. Guptill's distinguished career ended in 2024 after he relinquished his central contract, paving the way for a new generation of players and a focus on freelance opportunities in Twenty20 leagues.

Guptill represented New Zealand in 367 international matches, excelling across all three formats. He was particularly prolific in One-Day Internationals (ODIs), where he played 198 matches and amassed 7,346 runs, making him the third-highest run scorer for New Zealand in the format.

His achievements include two historic milestones: the first New Zealand batter to score a century on his ODI debut and the first to record a double-century in the format. His unbeaten 237 against the West Indies in the 2015 World Cup remains the highest individual score in a World Cup and a shining moment in New Zealand cricket history.

Despite these accolades, Guptill's career ended without the fanfare he arguably deserved. He was excluded from the squad for the 2023 World Cup and wasn't offered a farewell match, a decision that still leaves him feeling unfulfilled.

"I would have loved to have played a lot more. I feel like I had a lot more to give New Zealand Cricket and the Black Caps," Guptill said, reflecting on his abrupt exit. "It's disappointing how it ended, but I've got to move forward."

Widely regarded as one of New Zealand's greatest white-ball batters, Guptill's prowess extended beyond his batting. His sharp fielding skills earned him global recognition, highlighted by a decisive run-out of M.S. Dhoni during the 2019 World Cup semi-final.

Guptill's departure was part of New Zealand Cricket's broader strategy to invest in younger talents like Finn Allen. Ironically, Allen himself stepped away from international commitments in 2024 to pursue a career in T20 leagues, underscoring the changing dynamics of modern cricket.

Guptill's Test career, though respectable, fell short of his white-ball exploits. In 47 matches, he scored 2,586 runs at an average of 29.38, including three centuries. His highest score, 189 against Bangladesh in 2010, came while batting at No. 5, a position where he averaged over 43. However, Guptill preferred the challenge of opening the innings, a role that often tested his technique against the new ball.

"I had the opportunity to keep batting at five, but I wanted to go back to the top. I've got no regrets; I gave it a good shot," Guptill shared. While his international career may have ended earlier than he hoped, Guptill remains proud of his journey. “One of my proudest moments was to get a black cap, and that sits proudly at home,” he said.