New Zealand opener Martin Guptill officially retired from international cricket on January 8, 2025, bringing the curtain down on a remarkable career that began in 2009.
Guptill made his debut for New Zealand across all three formats in 2009 and quickly established himself as a cornerstone of the white-ball team. Over his 16-year career, the 38-year-old played pivotal roles in New Zealand’s success at ICC events from 2014 to 2021, helping the team reach the knockout stages in multiple tournaments.
Martin Guptill played 367 international matches for New Zealand, including 47 Tests, 198 ODIs, and 122 T20Is. Renowned for his aggressive batting style, Guptill was a dominant force in the New Zealand cricket circuit, often setting the tone at the top of the order.
In ODIs, Guptill amassed 7,346 runs at an impressive average of 41.73, establishing himself as one of the finest limited-overs batsmen of his era. In T20Is, he scored 3,531 runs at a strike rate of 136, finishing as New Zealand’s leading run-scorer in the format and third-highest in ODIs.
Martin Guptill was a standout performer in limited-overs cricket, especially in ODIs and T20Is, where he consistently delivered match-winning performances for New Zealand. However, his Test career was comparatively modest, with 2,586 runs from 47 matches at an average of 29. Although he achieved several memorable innings, including a double-century and multiple centuries in limited-overs formats, Guptill’s ability to replicate that success in the longest format was limited.
In Tests, Guptill faced challenges adapting to the demanding format, where conditions and playing styles differ significantly from the shorter formats. While he showed glimpses of brilliance, including a top score of 189 against Australia, his consistency was often lacking. His Test average of 29 reflects his struggles to convert promising starts into big scores and maintain form over extended periods.
Despite the relatively modest numbers in Tests, Guptill’s impact in ODIs and T20Is was undeniable. His ability to anchor an innings, play aggressive knocks, and score consistently made him one of New Zealand’s greatest limited-overs batsmen. Guptill’s 237* against the West Indies in the 2015 World Cup remains a standout moment in his career, solidifying his reputation as a premier ODI opener.
While his Test career didn’t reach the same heights as his limited-overs exploits, Guptill’s overall contribution to New Zealand cricket cannot be overstated. His adaptability and performances in the shorter formats have left an indelible mark, making him one of the finest batsmen to have represented his country on the international stage.
The highlight of Guptill’s illustrious career came during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup quarter-final, where he smashed an unbeaten 237 against the West Indies in Wellington. This remarkable knock remains the highest individual score in a World Cup match and makes Guptill the only New Zealand batsman to score a double century in ODIs.
Martin Guptill’s Remarkable Batting Numbers Across Formats
- Test Cricket: Guptill scored 2,586 runs in 89 innings at an average of 29.38.
- ODI Cricket: He amassed 7,346 runs in 195 innings at an impressive average of 41.73.
- T20I Cricket: In 118 innings, he scored 3,531 runs at an average of 31.81.
- Notable Records and Achievements
- Guptill holds the record for the second-most runs scored by boundaries in an ODI innings. During his iconic 237* against the West Indies in the 2015 World Cup, he smashed 162 runs from boundaries, second only to Rohit Sharma’s 186 boundary runs during his 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014.
He became the first New Zealand batter to score a century on ODI debut, hitting 122 runs against the West Indies in Auckland in 2009. Rob Nicol later joined this exclusive club with his unbeaten 108 against Zimbabwe in 2011.
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs Scored | Highest Score | Batting Average | Centuries | Half-Centuries | Wickets Taken | Best Bowling | Bowling Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 198 | 194 | 7,346 | 237 | 41.98 | 17 | 37 | 1 | 1/3 | 51.00 |
| T20I | 122 | 121 | 3,531 | 105 | 31.82 | 2 | 26 | 0 | – | – |
| Test | 47 | 92 | 2,433 | 189 | 28.15 | 5 | 13 | 0 | – | – |