Guptill a Renegade

Two days after being released from his New Zealand contract, unwanted Black Caps opener Martin Guptill has been snapped up by the Melbourne Renegades. The 36-year-old has been signed as a replacement for No 1 draft pick Liam Livingstone, who withdrew from the Big Bash tournament earlier this week due to an increased international workload. Guptill, who has been out of favour with the Black Caps’ white ball sides, became the third player to get a release from his contract in recent months, joining Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme. He still hopes to play in next year’s ODI World Cup in India, but stepped away from his central contract to pursue overseas T20 opportunities. Guptill joins a Renegades side which includes opener Aaron Finch and talented young Afghanistan offspinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman. The Renegades struggled in last season’s Big Bash, finished equal bottom winning just three of their 14 matches. Guptill will be the third Kiwi involved in this summer’s Big Bash alongside Boult (Stars) and de Grandhomme (Strikers).