Former Ireland captain William Porterfield announced his retirement from international cricket on Thursday, calling time on a 16-year career on June 16, 2022. Porterfield has now finished his career as the third most capped Irish cricketer and the second-highest run-getter.

Taking over the captaincy from Trent Johnston in 2008, the 37-year-old left-handed batter led Ireland in a remarkable 253 games across all formats, a span that included two 50-over World Cups and five T20 World Cups as well as the Irish men's inaugural Test, which against Pakistan in May 2018.

He made 18 centuries for Ireland in all formats including 107 against Pakistan in Adelaide at the 2015 World Cup. He also played English county cricket with counties such as Gloucestershire and Warwickshire.

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"It's been an honor to represent my country for 16 years. It's something I had always wanted to do since I was a child. During my career, we've gone from an amateur team right through to now being a Test nation.... All I ever wanted to do was leave the shirt in a better place and leave the team in a better place, and hopefully I've played a part in doing that,” said Porterfield.

Porterfield, who will take up a coaching role with Gloucestershire, played his last international in January at Jamaica's Sabina Park.

"I've been given the opportunity to join Gloucestershire as a Consultant Coach until the end of the season, and these opportunities don't come around very often," he said. "It's a decision I've been thinking long and hard about over the last week or so - and I'd like to thank Cricket Ireland for allowing me to get up and going in the role over the last while,” Porterfield signed off.

(AFP/ Cricbuzz inputs)