The veteran Kiwi opener, Martin Guptill has been signed in by the Big Bash League (BBL) franchise, Melbourne Renegades ahead of the 2022-23 edition of the tournament. The veteran recently became the third cricketer to pull out of New Zealand’s central contracts after Colin de Grandhomme and Trent Boult. Guptill didn’t play a single game in the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia despite being in the squad. The Black Caps preferred Finn Allen over him.
Thereafter, Martin Guptill was left out of the ODI and T20I series against India as well. Recently, the veteran batter decided to pull out of the NZC contracts to explore more opportunities in leagues around the world. Meanwhile, Guptill has replaced Liam Livingstone, who pulled out of the BBL due to international and other commitments.
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As per the quotes in India Today, Martin Guptill said, “I’m excited to be joining the Renegades and am looking forward to being part of the Big Bash this season. This is a new challenge for me and it will be nice to call Melbourne home for the summer. I’ll be trying to make as many runs as I can to help drive the Renegades back up the ladder and push for team success.”
New Zealand's all-time leading T20I run-scorer is a Renegade 😤
Welcome aboard, @martyguptill!#GETONRED pic.twitter.com/6SvemdUsPZ
— Melbourne Renegades (@RenegadesBBL) November 24, 2022
He further added, “I’ve crossed paths with a few of the guys over the years on the international circuit and know this will be a great team environment to be part of. I can’t wait to join up with the team after Christmas and play in front of plenty of Renegades fans at Marvel Stadium and in Geelong.”
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Martin Guptill played only one game in the BBL for the Sydney Thunder almost a decade ago. He is now set to ply his trade alongside the likes of Andre Russell and others. The Renegades are scheduled to start their campaign on December 15 with their match against the Brisbane Heat in Cairns.
