New Zealand star sensation Brendon McCullum on Monday announced retirement from all forms of the game and confirmed he will no longer be a part of Global T20 League and Euro T20 Slam. The former Kiwi skipper had announced retirement from International cricket in 2016, will hang his boots after Toronto Nationals’ final league game against Montreal Tigers.
"It is with great pride and satisfaction that I am today announcing my retirement from all cricket," he said on Monday (August 5). "I now won't be playing in the Euro T20 Slam and I thank the organizers for their support and understanding.
"As much as I am proud of what I've achieved in my 20-year professional career – more than ever I could have dreamt of when I first entered the game – I have felt the drive to keep going harder to maintain in recent months. My style of cricket has been full of noise, full throttle. From Culling Park to Lord's and everything in between, there have been some wonderful memories. Unfortunately, the sacrifices needed and commitment required to play that kind of cricket have now become too great. I owe it to myself and the teams I represent to close that chapter rather than just plow on regardless of what I know to be true."
In February this year, McCullum had called time on his Big Bash career and stressed he's looking forward to transitioning into a coaching role. "The next chapter, both in media and coaching, will challenge me further," McCullum said. "I am sad to leave playing the game I love behind, but I am excited about what the future holds. It's been one hell of a ride but I've always maintained that all good things must come to an end."
McCullum has had an illustrious career, featuring in 370 T20 matches – scoring 9922 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 136.49. McCullum will always be remembered in the cricketing arena as one of the cleanest hitters of the cricket ball.
