New Zealand's Michael Papps announces retirement from First-class Cricket

Michael Papps well remembered for his battle against Brett Lee, who hit his head twice in 2005.

Michael Papps | Getty Images

Former New Zealand opener Michael Papps, who represented the Black Caps from 2004 to 2007 at the International arena, has announced on Thursday (April 19) his retirement from the First-class cricket as well.

With this announcement, the 38-year-old ended his 20-year first-class career.

Papps had not returned to the field to represent his national side after he was hit in the head twice by the Australian fast bowling legend Brett Lee's bouncers in 2005.

In 1998, the right-hander made his First-class debut for his local provincial club Canterbury Wizards, for which he has scored around 6,663 runs in 12 seasons, and become the second most run-getter in the province. Later, the batsman switched to Wellington Firebirds in July 2011.

For Canterbury and Wellington, Michael has amassed 12,294 runs at an average of 38.66, and during the process, he also became the first cricketer to compile over 10,000 runs in the Plunket Shield.

The wicketkeeper-batsman has played eight Tests where he scored only 246 runs, while featured in six One-Day Internationals, where he finished with 207 runs at an average of 51.75 for New Zealand.

As per reports in Wisden India, the Christchurch-born said in a statement, “The personal and collective triumphs, the runs scored, the days in the dirt, and the games won and lost are all memories I will take away, but most of all it will be the people, the teams I’ve played for, both here and overseas, and the great friends I have made that I will cherish the most.”

Papps signed off by saying, “I would like to thank the Canterbury Cricket Association for teaching me the game and giving me the best grounding a young cricketer could possibly receive and to Cricket Wellington for enabling me to expand my horizons and providing me with a new challenge.”

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 19 Apr, 2018

    Share Via