World Cup final was the best and worst day of my career, says Martin Guptill

New Zealand opener Martin Guptill has described the 2019 World Cup Final as the best and worst day of his cricketing career. With two runs needed off the last ball in the super over, the 32-year-old fell agonizingly short of the crease and was run out by Jos Buttler, thus handing England the trophy. 

Recalling the incident, Guptill said that the sheer spectacle of the encounter made it a memorable one for the crowd, but rued the fact that his side came out on the wrong side of things. 

“I guess you see it as the best and the worst day of your cricketing career," Guptill was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

“The ebbs and flows of the game made it such a good one for the spectators. It was just unfortunate we came out on the other side of it,” he added.

The right-handed opener, who has since played for Worcestershire in the T20 Blast, also revealed that he has received plenty of stick from the English crowd, including during the home matches, often reminding him about the final.

“I got a bit of stick from the crowd. I think it was actually even home games I got a bit of stick," he spoke of the crowd banter. 

“It’s something you’ve just got to put up with and move on pretty quickly. I’m here now with the boys and raring to go,” he added.

Guptill, who is currently in Sri Lanka to play 3 T20Is, also stated that he is looking forward to the T20 World Cup in Australia next year and considers the upcoming T20s against the Lankans and the English as the perfect preparation for the global showdown.

“T20 World Cups are always good fun. With it being in Australia next year it’s completely different conditions to what we face at home as well.

“It’s going to be nice to start off our preparation here, playing in some trying conditions and then head home with a good five (match) T20 series against England to lead off the summer.”