O'Brien to retire from international cricket following Pakistan series

BLACKCAPS bowler Iain O’Brien is to retire from all international cricket at the end of the current Test series against Pakistan.

Announcing his decision today, after taking four for 66 in the third day’s play in the second Test against Pakistan, O’Brien said it had been a very difficult decision to make.

“It has been playing on my mind for a long time. I have loved dearly playing for the BLACKCAPS. It has been an amazing experience and something I will treasure forever.

“However my personal circumstances are such that I can no longer commit to being a BLACKCAP and all that goes with it at an international level in the modern game - in particular being on the road for 11 months of the year.

“This is the main issue. My wife lives and works in the UK and my immediate future is there. Since we married, two and a half years ago, we have spent only nine months together. I am 33 years old and my main focus now is becoming a ‘proper’ husband, starting a family, settling down and securing my future in that country. Cricket has been my number one; I’ve placed it in front of everything else. It’s now time to put Rosie first and start a family.

“I intend to keep playing the game I love in the UK, and have an opportunity to finish my career with Middlesex County Cricket Club which is very exciting.

“I would like to thank New Zealand Cricket for supporting me in this decision. I would also like to acknowledge Dan Vettori for his support and confidence in me in recent years, plus the boys I've been on the park with and trained with for whom it has been a pleasure to represent my country with. I have had an opportunity to play with some New Zealand greats and I will only look back with fondness on my time spent with them on and off the park.

“This has been one very tough decision and I walk away with a heavy heart but I know, for certain, that I have made the right decision for me, my wife and my future.”

New Zealand Cricket Chief Executive Justin Vaughan paid tribute to O’Brien’s determination and consistency as a mainstay of the BLACKCAPS’ bowling attack in recent seasons.

“We are sorry to see Iain go – he has made a big contribution to New Zealand cricket over the past five years,” he said. “He has been a consistent performer, and has always given everything to the game, as demonstrated by his tremendous efforts in the past two test matches.

“We respect his reasons for retirement and wish him the best. He gives his all on the park, and his genuine commitment and infectious personality are there to see on and off the field.”

O’Brien made his international debut for New Zealand in a Test against Australia in March 2005. He has played 20 Tests up to the current match, taking 61 wickets with an average of 35.11. His best Test bowling was a haul of six for 75 which came against the West Indies in Napier last December.

He also played 10 One-day-Internationals, taking 14 wickets, and four Twenty20 Internationals, taking six wickets.