New Zealand’s 2015 Cricket World Cup hero, Grant Elliott, has announced his retirement from all formats of the game on Tuesday (21 August). His memorable innings in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 took New Zealand to the final against Australia who are the eventual title holders at the moment.

The 39-year-old all-rounder played for the last time 17 August for Birmingham Bears against Worcestershire in the T20 Blast in England,. He ended with 0/35 and a 16-ball 29, though his team lost by 15 runs to miss out on a spot in the knockouts.

Since started playing in 1996, Elliott played 83 first-class games, 211 List A games and 150 T20 games across the globe while played five Tests, 83 One Day Internationals and 17 T20 Internationals for New Zealand in his 9 years of international career.

He broke the news on Instagram, “Started in Johannesburg finished in Birmingham. I remember being 12 and writing down my life goals. To play in a World Cup, play international cricket and play county cricket. 27 years on and I have loved every minute of it. Thanks to all the memorable people I have met that have made this journey special. To family and friends who have given me unwavering support despite all the sacrifices, I have had to make that have impacted them.”

He signed off, “This game is a special one but it doesn't define us. Looking forward to the future with great excitement and sharing a drink with those selfless players I shared a change room with.”

Noteworthy, Elliott was born in Johannesburg and started First-class career in South Africa, but moved to New Zealand in 2001, and represented Canterbury and Wellington. The Kiwi middle-order batsman and medium pacer picked by New Zealand for the home Test series against England in 2008.

Check out here: