In order to explore playing possibilities elsewhere, veteran hitter Martin Guptill has joined players like pace bowler Trent Boult and all-arounder Colin de Grandhomme in rejecting the core contract with New Zealand Cricket (NZC).
This year, Guptill was released from his playing contract, and he is now looking for possibilities in domestic white-ball tournaments all over the world.
Guptill said he is not yet ready to retire from international cricket and is still hopeful of being selected for his country in the future, despite the fact that he did not play for New Zealand during their Men's T20 World Cup campaign in Australia or in the recently finished three-match T20I series against India. The 36-year-old did not play for New Zealand during either of those events.
He was reported by ICC as stating, "Playing for my nation has been a tremendous honour, and I'm grateful to everyone inside the Black Caps and New Zealand Cricket for their support."
"However, I'm also practical enough to realise that, given the current situation, I need to weigh my options. By being released, I can still travel to New Zealand, I can look into other possibilities, and I get to spend more time with my family, which is crucial."
Guptill, who is currently third in the ODI and T20I run charts for New Zealand, is being released from his contract with the approval of the organization, according to David White, chief executive of New Zealand Cricket.
White emphasised that Guptill would not have any promises regarding future international selection and that players with central or domestic contracts would now receive preference when choosing teams.
White remarked, "We comprehend Martin's stance. "He's been a great batsman for us for a very long time, and we definitely don't want to get in the way of him as he looks into other opportunities.
"Martin has earned the right to finish his career on his own terms. He has been a dedicated and well-liked member of the Black Caps, and he has been a giant of the white ball game. We wish him well as he completes his contract, White continued.