Cricket Ireland has announced that batting star Kevin O’Brien has decided to retire from ODI cricket on June 18, 2021. He will, however, be available for Tests and T20Is.
37-year-old batsman finishes as Ireland's third-highest ODI run-scorer with 3,618 runs in 153 games, averaging 29.41 and a strike rate of 88.72. He also picked 114 wickets and picked 68 catches to finish as Ireland's highest wicket-taker and catcher in ODI cricket.
"After 15 years playing for Ireland, I feel now is the right time to step away and retire from ODI cricket. It has been an honor and a privilege to represent my country 153 times and the memories I take from them will last a lifetime.
This has not been an easy decision, but after ongoing consideration, I don't feel I can contribute to the ODI team as much as I have in the past. The hunger and love for the ODI format is no longer the same as it was and it wouldn't be fair to Andrew, Graham, the team, and our supporters to continue to play while no longer feeling at 100%,” O’Brien said.
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"I've had some unbelievable moments with the team since 2006 - the three World Cups, the personal successes and spending time traveling and playing all over the world, but I will now shift my focus and remain fully committed to T20 cricket - with two world cups in the next 18 months - and hoping to add to my three caps in Test cricket,” he added.
O’Brien’s most memorable innings remain his blazing century against England in Bengaluru during a 2011 World Cup match, where he slammed 113 runs, reaching his century in just 50 balls, making it the fastest century in World Cup history. His knock helped Ireland beat England in the World Cup.
"Kevin has played an enormous role in the development of Irish cricket and has delivered regularly on the world stage - particularly in the ODI format. It's been a pleasure to work with him as part of the ODI squad, and he has been a true role model for many teammates over the years,” Graham Ford, Ireland's head coach said.
"I look forward to continuing to work with Kevin in other formats, and while his decision to step away from ODI cricket is sad, he can do so in the knowledge that he leaves an indelible legacy on the ODI game in Ireland and around the world,” he added.
(Cricbuzz inputs)
