Veteran batsman Martin Guptill on Wednesday was released from his New Zealand contract by the cricket board. Guptill joins bowler Trent Boult, 33, and all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme, 36, who both also recently asked to have their New Zealand Cricket contracts cancelled. Boult has been signed by the Melbourne Stars and De Grandhomme has joined the Adelaide Strikers in Australia's T20 Big Bash League which begins next month.
Guptill, 36, will still be available to play for New Zealand if selected but said he was now free to "explore other opportunities"."Playing for my country has been a massive honour, and I'm grateful to everyone within the Black Caps for their support," he added."I'm realistic enough to understand the need to consider my options."He has made more than 7,000 runs in 198 one-day internationals with a best of 237 not out, the second highest individual score in history.In Twenty20 internationals he has smacked 3,531 runs in 122 matches, with a best of 105.Guptill was part of the Black Caps T20 World Cup squad that reached the semi-finals in Australia earlier this month but did not play, with 23-year-old Finn Allen preferred at the top of the order.Guptill was then dropped for the current Twenty20 and ODI home series against India.
