New Zealand left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori has finally confirmed speculation about his retirement. The former Black Caps skipper announced his retirement from international cricket upon the team’s return from the World Cup.
He made the announcements to reporters upon his arrival at the Auckland Airport with his teammates and also to a crowd of around 500 cheering supporters on Tuesday.
He told media that the final of the Cricket World Cup was his last game representing the Black Caps. Vettori said it was a good feeling to see the supporters at the airport.
I guess it shows how much everyone has loved the last six weeks - probably as much as we did. It’s certainly not something I’ve seen before.
– Daniel Vettori
Addressing his retirement, he said finishing with a World Cup final was a good way to finish his cricketing career.
Obviously it would’ve been great to win but I’m really proud of everyone and they way we’ve gone about things the last six weeks.
– Daniel Vettori
Vettori also said that he was grateful for the support from skipper Brendon McCullum and Hesson and he would always treasure his role in the World Cup and playing in the final.
Vettori, who took his 300th wicket against Afganisthan during the 2015 World Cup, began his career 18 years ago in 1996 and is New Zealand’s most-capped test cricketer with 112 caps, and New Zealand’s most capped One-Day cricketer with 284 caps.
He is also the second bowler from New Zealand and eighth bowler worldwide to have claimed 300-plus test match wickets.
Though, in this World Cup, he wasn’t in the best of forms, yet his 13 wickets and his remarkable economy rate throughout the tournament was instrumental in New Zealand qualifying for the World Cup final for the first time.
The announcement ends an 18-year career that began when he was 18. He played 113 tests and 295 one-day internationals.
Vettori at present is the coach for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL T20 competition and is also being rumoured to take over the Brisbane Heat in Australia’s Big Bash League.
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