Guptill no longer tied to NZC deal

A third senior Black Cap has been released from his New Zealand Cricket contract to pursue lucrative T20 contracts around the world.

Opening batsman Martin Guptill has been a fixture of the Black Caps’ oneday and T20 sides for the past 14 years but did not play in the recent T20

World Cup.

He’s also not part of the current squad for the series against India.

Guptill, 36, follows pace bowler Trent Boult and allrounder Colin de Grandhomme who sought releases from their central contracts earlier this year.

Guptill said playing international cricket was still his preference but having been replaced at the top of the order by Finn Allen, he’s “realistic” about his future in the side and “(I) need to consider my options in the current circumstances.”

He emphasised he wasn’t retiring from international cricket and still wishes to be considered for Black Caps games.

“Playing for my country has been a massive honour . . . with this release, I’m still available for New Zealand, I have the chance to explore other opportunities.”

Guptill is New Zealand’s leading T20 run-scorer, the third-highest in the ODI format, and third on the world all-time T20 list.

NZC has made it clear while he would remain eligible for selection, preference would continue to be given to those players with central or domestic contracts.

“We understand Martin’s position. He’s been a fantastic batsman for us for a long period of time, and we certainly don’t wish to stand in his way as he explores other opportunities,” said NZC chief executive David White.

“Players such as Martin, Trent and Colin, with long and successful international track records, inevitably end up with alternative playing options at this stage of their careers, and we respect that.

“It’s just part of the natural ebb and flow of individual careers within team sport,” said White.

A replacement to fill Guptill’s central contract vacancy will be named shortly.