Just a few months ago, Ireland cricketer Ed Joyce had announced his retirement from international cricket and now his teammate Niall O’Brien also follows in his footsteps.
Cricket news: Although he was sad, yet he said that he was happy to leave with happy memories
Niall has decided to hang up his boots both from international and first-call cricket. Since his debut against Scotland in August 2016, he has been an indefatigable servant of the Irish cricket and is one of the four member to play over 100 ODIs.
The 36-year-old player was part of the team which defeated Pakistan in the 2007 World Cup which was held in West Indies. He was also part of the epic Test match against Pakistan at Malahide Cricket Ground in May this year. Moreover he has played for Kent and Gloucestershire in England’s domestic cricket.
Reports from Cricket Ireland’s official website suggested that although he was sad while announcing his retirement yet he mentioned that he would be leaving with happy and fond memories of his cricketing career.
“It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing my retirement from international and professional cricket. I have been blessed to have been lucky enough to have represented my country for 16 years with plenty more ups than downs and for this I look back with nothing but smiles and laughter,” he mentioned.
“I would like to thank all my coaches and teammates who along the way have helped me become the player I was. I have had too many coaches to mention them all but a special thanks must go to Adrian “Adi” Birrell who took a chance on me in 2002 and who arranged a trial at Kent from where I started my 14-year county career which was an absolute privilege and an honour,” he added.
He has played 1 Test, 103 ODIs and 30 T20Is where he has scored 18, 2581 and 466 runs respectively. Moreover he has 19 half-centuries and one century in his country’s colours.