New Zealand superstar Brendon McCullum has announced that he will retire from cricket at the conclusion of the Global T20 Canada.
He had been set to play in the Euro T20 Slam, but has pulled out of that competition, thanking the organisers for their “understanding”.
“As much as I am proud of what I’ve achieved in my 20-year professional career – more than I ever could have dreamed of when I first entered the game – I have felt the drive to keep going harder to maintain in recent months,” he said in a statement posted on Twitter.
“I look back with pride over the way I’ve played the game and what I’ve achieved.”
“With New Zealand, we broke boundaries and established a style of play that earned us respect across the world. In T20 cricket, I’ve enjoyed so many varied challenges, I can leave the game knowing I left no stone unturned,” McCullum added.
It’s been real… pic.twitter.com/sdCqLZTDz6
— Brendon McCullum (@Bazmccullum) August 5, 2019
The 37-year-old was a consistent performer in T20 Internationals having registered a score in excess of 50 on 15 occasions, which is equal to that of the Windies swashbuckling opener Chris Gayle.
Meanwhile, batting legend Sachin Tendulkar and others took to Twitter to pay tribute to the retiring Blackcaps great Brendon McCullum.
.@Bazmccullum, your contribution to NZ cricket has been terrific. There was a fine balance between your fearless approach and focus on technique. The brand of cricket you encouraged your team to play was always entertaining. pic.twitter.com/xeopYJ95JD
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 6, 2019
Well done to another legend of the game @Bazmccullum on a great career. #McCullum
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) August 6, 2019
Playing the highest level of cricket for 20 years! Congratulations on a decorated career @bazmccullum 💯 pic.twitter.com/LADgOZ5mOI
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) August 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/Martyguptill/status/1158690908046528517
