Kevin O’Brien has announced his retirement from international cricket. The 38-year-old all-rounder, who had previously withdrawn from One Day Internationals in 2021, was trying to force his way back into the Ireland squad ahead of October’s T20 World Cup but has decided to call it a day, citing confidence his. that “selectors and management are looking elsewhere.” O’Brien played his last match in green at the 2021 World Cup.
O’Brien starts with 153 ODIs, 110 T20Is and two Test matches to his name. He is one of a handful of players in the world to record a century in all three formats and will remain one of the greats of the Irish game.
The Railway Union man was there for most of Ireland’s greatest moments. He was not out at the end alongside Trent Johnston when he achieved victory against Pakistan in the 2007 World Cup, the victory that brought Irish cricket global attention for the first time.
[ Kevin O’Brien becomes first Irish player to make a Test century ]
O’Brien scored the fastest century in the World against England in 2011, finishing with 113 in a famous win in Bengaluru. He also became Ireland’s first Test centurion, scoring 118 against Pakistan in Malahide in the country’s first Test.
Along with his brother Niall and countless others, O’Brien was part of the golden generation of Irish cricket whose results on the field launched the campaign for full membership of the International Cricket Council, securing Test cricket for the first time. first.
O’Brien played domestic cricket for Munster Reds this season in a bid to revive his international career. He had previously played for Leinster Lightning as well as a number of professional clubs abroad, including Surrey, Gloucestershire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Somerset, Rangpur Riders and Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel.
“I have enjoyed every minute of playing for Ireland, I have made many friends on the pitch and have so many happy memories to look back on from my time playing for the national team,” O’Brien said in a statement on social media.
“Now it’s in the next phase of my life and my career for me, it’s the right time. I want to continue to grow my coaching academy here in Ireland and have some exciting opportunities coming up in the near future. I also want to continue to gain coaching experience overseas and hope to have more opportunities with some international and professional sides in the near future.”
