New Zealand cricketer Colin Munro has decided to retire from international cricket following his exclusion from the Black Caps’ squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. This decision marks the end of a remarkable career for the 37-year-old left-handed batter, who has been a stalwart in New Zealand cricket for over a decade.
Munro, whose last international appearance for New Zealand dates back to a T20I match against India in 2020, expressed his feelings in a statement released on Friday. Despite hopes of staging a comeback fueled by his exceptional performances in franchise T20 cricket, including the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Munro acknowledged that the unveiling of the T20 World Cup squad was the right moment to formally bid adieu to the international arena.
The Durban-born cricketer made his debut in T20Is against South Africa in 2012 and went on to represent New Zealand in 122 white-ball matches, including a solitary Test appearance against the Proteas in 2013. Munro’s impact on the T20 format is undeniable, with notable achievements such as his blistering 47-ball century against the West Indies in 2018, setting a new benchmark for New Zealand’s fastest T20 century and becoming the first player to score three T20I hundreds.
His lightning-paced 14-ball half-century against Sri Lanka at Auckland’s Eden Park in 2016 stands as New Zealand’s swiftest in T20Is and ranks as the fourth fastest globally. Despite falling short in his quest for T20 World Cup glory, Munro was a key figure in New Zealand’s lineup during the heart-wrenching 2019 World Cup final loss against England.
As Munro turns his focus towards continued franchise cricket endeavors, his legacy in the realm of abbreviated formats remains unmatched. New Zealand Cricket head Scott Weenink praised Munro’s pioneering spirit, hailing him as a trailblazer of aggressive, “360-degree style” batting. Weenink expressed gratitude for Munro’s remarkable contributions to the sport, spanning over a century of international appearances, and wished him success in his future endeavors.
Leave a Reply