DEPARTING opener Martin Guptill says his record-breaking 35-ball 100 for Worcestershire Rapids will be a “lasting memory” of his time at Blackfinch New Road.

But the big-hitting New Zealand international has not ruled out a return to the County in the future as he heads off to play in the Caribbean Premier League.

Guptill made nine appearances for the County since his arrival in late June and finished his stint in style with a stunning century in the Vitality T20 Blast last Friday.

The 31-year-old smashed 12 fours and seven sixes as he notched 102 from only 38 balls in Rapids’ nine-wicket thrashing of Northamptonshire Steelbacks at Wantage Road.

It was the quickest hundred by a Worcestershire player in T20 cricket.

But Guptill, who was accompanied at the crease by Joe Clarke (61 not out), admitted his innings was a blur at times.

“I didn’t even realise I’d reached 50,” he said. “I had a very slow start and everyone started clapping and I had to ask Clarkey what had happened.

“Then to complete a century 15 balls later was pretty pleasing and I don’t know if I’ll be able to get one quicker than that anytime soon. It’s my quickest 100 by a long way.

“My quickest before that was 49 balls for New Zealand against Australia earlier this year.”

Guptill also marked his club debut with a ton in their 202-run win over Lancashire in County Championship Division One.

“I guess it started off reasonably well and I felt reasonably good when I got here,” he said.

“I had a few innings where things didn’t go my way. But to finish off with a decent knock at Northampton was pretty pleasing and hopefully a lasting memory of my time here.”

Guptill will play in the Caribbean Premier League after securing a big-money deal with Barbados Tridents.

But when asked whether he would like to come back to Worcestershire if the opportunity arose Guptill said: “Absolutely. I’ve loved my time here.

“I love all the guys in the team and hopefully one day I will be able to come back and play a bit more cricket here.”

Travis Head has also left for a brief break in Adelaide before linking up with Australia A for their tour of India.

South Africa all-rounder Wayne Parnell has joined forces with the club’s other overseas player Callum Ferguson.

The duo are set to play in Rapids’ Vitality Blast home clash with Durham Jets on Friday (4.30pm).

And with Worcestershire joint top of the North Group Guptill is optimistic of their chances of progressing to the last eight.

“There is still a lot of cricket to be played,” Guptill said.

“Hopefully the boys can finish off where myself and Travis have left the team and push on for a few more wins to qualify for the quarter-finals.

“There are some really good players. There is experience mixed in with inexperience but that is what makes the team exciting.

“Young guys can come in and express themselves and just go out and play the way they do. It’s working for the team at the moment so hopefully they can continue that.”

Meanwhile, on-loan Nottinghamshire paceman Luke Wood will remain with Rapids until the end of the Vitality Blast group campaign.

He has played in all seven completed Blast games plus the Championship match with Somerset.

Wood's spell will also include the remaining six Blast matches apart from the two against his parent county at Trent Bridge on Saturday and the return on August 12.

The 22-year-old has impressed head bowling coach Alan Richardson who said: “We’ve had a few injuries with our seamers. Luke has been excellent and fitted in brilliantly.”