Martin Guptill, easily among New Zealand’ cricket’s best white-ball players, has retired from international cricket, more than two years after his last appearance for the Black Caps.

Guptill, 38, last wore the black cap in October 2022, before selectors opted to move in a new direction. As a result, Guptill handed back his national contract, and opted to become a freelance T20 specialist in domestic tournaments around the world.

Guptill had always maintained he still wanted to play for New Zealand, but was never afforded the opportunity. Regardless, Guptill appeared for New Zealand 367 times across all three formats, with 198 One Day Internationals, 122 T20 Internationals, and 47 tests.

“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,” 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 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.

“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.”

Batting primarily at the top of the order, Guptill’s feats hold him in the same company as the best to play white ball cricket for New Zealand.

In 2009, he became the first Black Cap to score a century on ODI debut, when he made an unbeaten 122 against the West Indies at Eden Park.

In 2015, he made the first score of more than 200 in an ODI for New Zealand, with an unbeaten World Cup quarter-final 237 runs, also against the West Indies.

His 18 ODI centuries are only bettered by Ross Taylor’s 21, while his 3531 runs in T20 Internationals were previously a world record.

Although Guptill has finished playing for New Zealand, he will continue to ply his trade as a T20 freelancer before calling time on his career altogether.

While Guptill received no playing farewell match, his career will be acknowledged during the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka, played at his Auckland homeground of Eden Park on Saturday.

- NZ Herald