Ireland pacer Tim Murtagh on Friday, November 29, announced his retirement from international cricket in order to extend his English county cricket career.
A few days back Murtagh had signed a two-year contract extension with Middlesex – which forced him to call time on his international career, as the new ECB regulations would have seen him classed as an overseas player had he continued his international career.
The seamer made his international debut for Ireland in 2012 in an ODI against Australia, but he didn’t get the chance to bowl in Belfast, as the game was washed out after 10 overs, and he had to wait further two weeks to play international cricket against Afghanistan.
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Over the last eight years, Murtagh represented Ireland in 97 games, claiming 142 wickets across all formats at an average of 25.54, while his finest moment came in England when he picked up career-best figures of 5-13 at Lord’s Cricket Ground – his final outing in an Ireland shirt.
Murtagh said in a statement about his retirement call: “This is a day that I have known has been coming for a few years since the ECB changed their regulations, but it hasn't made the decision any easier. I've had eight great years playing international cricket and loved every minute of it. It's sad that it has come to an end but a decision that I have made my peace with.”
He further went on to thank his family and Irish management for their support in his journey, “There are many people to thank for helping me on this journey. Firstly, my amazing wife Karina and the whole family who have endured many weeks/months of me away on tour living the dream. All the management and players from Cricket Ireland who have made me feel so welcome from 'ball one'. Also, the management at Middlesex Cricket for encouraging me to play at as high a level as I could.”
Meanwhile, the 38-year-old revealed that he is honouring the commitment that he made to Angus Fraser of finishing his playing days at Middlesex, where he has taken almost 1000 wickets since moving from Surrey in 2007.
He added, “I made a promise to Angus Fraser when I first started playing International cricket that if I ever had to make a choice between playing for Ireland or rewarding Middlesex for the commitment they'd shown to me over the years, that I would commit to finishing my playing days at Lord's.”
Murtagh signed off by saying, “I wouldn't have committed my future to Middlesex unless I felt that the club shared my ambition to win trophies and we have a huge amount of young talent here to drive us forward towards that goal. Under the new coaching regime, we've got a harmonious dressing room that is excited for the new season to get underway and a new Captain that everyone is keen to impress.”
(With ANI Inputs)
