Brendon McCullum Announces Retirement from All Forms of Cricket; Former New Zealand Captain to Bid Adieu After GT20 Canada Tournament

Brendon McCullum announced his decision to retire from all forms of cricket following the conclusion of the Global T20 tournament in Canada. The former New Zealand skipper, who bid adieu to international cricket in 2016, will call it a day after playing Toronto Nationals’ final league game against Montreal Tigers in GT20 on August 11. McCullum was initially supposed to be part of the inaugural Euro T20 slam in England but won’t play it announced the destructive opening batsman on social media. Dale Steyn Retires from Test Cricket: South Africa Fast Bowler Announces Immediate Retirement from the Longest Format of the Game.

"It is with great pride and satisfaction that I am today announcing my retirement from all cricket,” McCullum said in a letter to his fans on Monday. "I now won't be playing in the Euro T20 Slam and I thank the organisers for their support and understanding.” Eoin Morgan Admits Brendon McCullum’s Innings in 2015 Helped England Triumph in ICC CWC 2019.

The 37-year-old, who made his international debut 2004 decided to retire from international cricket in 2016 after playing 101 Tests, 260 ODIs and 71 T20I matches for New Zealand. He scored over 14000 international runs and led the Black Caps to their maiden World Cup final in 2015. Under McCullum, New Zealand were transformed as a cricketing team and has gone on to become the most loved cricket team over the world.

Been One Hell of a Ride

"As much as I am proud of what I've achieved in my 20-year professional career - more than ever I could have dreamt of when I first entered the game - I have felt the drive to keep going harder to maintain in recent months. My style of cricket has been full of noise, full throttle. From Culling Park to Lord's and everything in between, there have been some wonderful memories,” added McCullum in his letter posted on his social media pages.

“Unfortunately, the sacrifices needed and commitment required to play that kind of cricket have now become too great. I owe it to myself and the teams I represent to close that chapter rather than just plough on regardless of what I know to be true. The next chapter, both in media and coaching, will challenge me further.

"I am sad to leave playing the game I love behind, but I am excited about what the future holds. It's been one hell of a ride but I've always maintained that all good things must come to an end.” He will his T20 career after playing in excess of 350 matches across the several leagues in different parts of the world. McCullum can cross the 10000 T20 leagues runs in his remaining games for Toronto National in GT20.

He had already quit from the Indian Premier League (IPL) after going unsold in the auction last season and also retired from the Big Bash League. Reports stated that the big-hitting New Zealand opener has been roped in as the batting coach of Kolkata Knight Riders for the upcoming IPL season.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 05, 2019 11:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).