New Zealand opener Martin Guptill has clearly stated that he will not let issues such as body fitness, age, and present form deter him from playing the 2023 World Cup. The cricketer, who is currently 33, will be 36 by the time the World Cup reaches Indian shores. Playing in India is always something Guptill has struggled with, as is evident by his average in ODI matches in the country. He has an average of just 29.43 runs in India, while he has an impressive average of 42.13 outside the Indian subcontinent.
Guptill’s ongoing poor form is also characterized by his inability to score a 50, something he has been unable to do since making 73 runs last year at the World Cup against Sri Lanka. In that match, the Black Caps ended with a 10-wicket win over Sri Lanka. Moreover, he has not scored a single century in his last 10 innings.
Despite these unpromising numbers, Guptill conveyed that he is “absolutely” looking to play the World Cup for New Zealand in 2023.
He said, “Pending body issues and form and things like that, hopefully, I can stick around and put enough numbers on the board to be in that squad.”
He further said that he is not planning to retire anytime soon, stating, “I don’t think one-day cricket is going anywhere, there’s still a World Cup to play for in three years’ time, and leading up to that there’s going to be a lot of ODI cricket.”
Guptill stated he still has a passion for the game. “I enjoy the ODI format, so hopefully there’s plenty more to come.”
Guptill made his debut for New Zealand in 2009. He took part in three World Cups with the Black Caps, reaching the semi-finals in 2011, and the finals in 2015 and 2019. Guptill’s next ODI match will be against India on Saturday at Eden Park in Auckland.
