Avondale College was delighted to honour cricketer and alumnus Martin Guptill in a special event that set the scene for the announcement of New Zealand's T20 Cricket World Cup team on Tuesday.
After a tour of the school led by our 1st XI Boys and Girls Cricket captains Nathan Powell and Shahana Samadi, Martin and fellow cricketers Kane Williamson, Ish Sodhi, Daryl Mitchell, Finn Allen and coach Gary Stead were welcomed into the Halberg Gymnasium with a massive haka led by Brodie Rawiri and our 1st XV rugby boys.
This was the first time Martin had returned to Avondale College since 2004, when he had been a Year 13 prefect and captain of the 1st XI. He had been selected for New Zealand age group teams whilst at Avondale, and our school magazine, Taikaka, noted he scored "two magnificent centuries", he was an "excellent spin bowler" and as a fielder he was "without peer.” The same yearbook also highlights his success on the Kilikiti field - with Avondale College winning the Auckland Championships with Martin at the crease!
Students in attendance at the media event also had the opportunity to ask questions of Martin and Kane Williamson, before lining up for photos and getting signatures from the players. It was a memorable day for the students and the College, and we look forward to cheering Martin and the team on as they take on challengers in the upcoming World Cup!
Check out some of the media coverage of the day here: