Martin Guptill put on a show for the punters that turned up to celebrate his career at the renamed Martin Guptill Oval at Eden Park today.
The veteran opener scored an unbeaten 85 off 52 balls to help the star-studded Auckland Aces beat the Wellington Firebirds by 53 runs in the Super Smash.
Guptill's knock included five fours and six sixes as he carried the bat from start to finish and saw the Aces post a formidable 192/6 from their 20 overs.
Speaking after the game, Guptill said had been a bit nervous given the occasion, but was pleased to perform well.
"It's been a great day, thankful for everyone coming down and great to have the family here too," Guptill said, while also stressing he wasn't retiring.
"There's still a few more to come, hopefully I can write a few more stories in the rest of my career."
While Guptill finished with the top score, it was Finn Allen who got the Aces off to the perfect start, slamming a 24-ball 50 that included five fours and four sixes.
Both teams were bolstered by the return of several Black Caps, with the Aces featuring Allen, Mark Chapman and Lockie Ferguson, while the Firebirds were able to call on the services of Ben Sears and Adam Milne.
Sears took 2-32 off three overs, while Michael Bracewell, Peter Younghusband and Logan van Beek each took a wicket apiece for the Firebirds. Younghusband also ran out Robbie O'Donnell first ball with an excellent piece of fielding.
In reply, the Firebirds were never able to match the required rate once dashing opener Tim Robinson was dismissed for 21.
Louis Delport was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-27 off his four overs and pulling off an acrobatic celebration that surprised both teammates and commentators. Danru Ferns was equally impressive with the ball, taking 3-26, while Ben Lister cleaned up the tail to finish with 4-26.
Nathan Smith (25) and Muhammad Abbas (32) kept the chase going for a time, but the asking rate was just too much for them to get back into the match. Wellington were eventually bowled out for 139 in the penultimate over.
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