Martin Guptill scored 142 runs in the seven games he played

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

New Zealand opener Martin Guptill will play no further part in the ongoing Caribbean Premier League as he has returned home due to a family health matter, according to stuff.co.nz.

The news organisation reported that while Guptill’s wife Laura McGoldrick is due to give birth to a baby girl next month, the health issue has to do with another member of his family.

Guptill, who scored scored 142 runs in seven games at an average of 20.28, had been captaining the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the competition, where they currently sit in fourth place with six points after winning three games and losing five.

Omar Khan, the Amazon Warriors’ operations manager, admitted that Guptill’s absence for the rest of the competition is a huge blow for the franchise.

“It’s unfortunate and hugely disappointing to lose Martin at this stage of the tournament but we empathise with his situation and he has our full support as he returns home to his family,” Khan said.

With Guptill gone, the Amazon Warriors have signed former New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman Luke Ronchi as his replacement.

Ronchi, who retired from international cricket in June, is coming off a stint with Leicestershire in the Natwest T20 Blast.

With Leicestershire having being knocked out of the tournament after suffering a nine-wicket loss to Glamorgan in the quarter-finals, Ronchi was free to join the Amazon Warriors.

During his time with Leicestershire, Ronchi accumulated 429 runs, which included three half-centuries, in 15 matches at an average of 33.

“We welcome Luke to the Guyana Amazon Warriors family and his wealth of experience and explosive batting in this format will certainly be an asset to our team,” Khan said.

The Amazon Warriors have two more league games remaining, with the first coming against the Barbados Tridents on August 29. Their second and final league match will see them go up against the Jamaica Tallawahs on September 1.