New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori announced his international retirement on Tuesday, and whilst it wasn’t a shock, there was an outpouring of emotion for one of the Black Caps’ greatest-ever players.
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Vettori arrived back in Auckland on Tuesday and told media he’d played his last international match.
“It was my last game for New Zealand so it was a lovely way to finish,” Vettori is quoted as saying by TVNZ.
“To be able to finish in the final, albeit without a win, I’m just very grateful for the amount of support I had particularly from Brendon [McCullum] and Mike [Hesson].
“To be able to get back from a number of injuries and to be here and to be part of it … is something I’ll always treasure.”
The news will come as a major blow for New Zealand cricket, with the Kiwi’s struggling for spinners in recent times.
He made his international debut at the age of 18 and went on to play 113 Tests and 295 ODI’s.
Vettori took 13 wickets during the 2015 World Cup and was instrumental in helping the Kiwi’s reach Sunday’s final.
The 36-year-old will now concentrate on coaching Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League and Big Bash League side Brisbane Heat.
Check out some of the reaction below!
#ThanksDaniel great pleasure playing with you mate. Flem, you and Brendon have done so much to develop NZ cricket. You must be very proud
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) March 31, 2015
Champion player, champion bloke. Congrats #DanielVettori pic.twitter.com/n8nR82AqoN
— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) March 31, 2015
Vettori has retired from international cricket, time to grab a few beers Danny boy! pic.twitter.com/N5AK1pC3xc
— Oddschecker Au (@OddscheckerAu) March 31, 2015
18 years of Daniel Vettori. What a legend! pic.twitter.com/umSElKM1UJ
— Naam to suna hi hoga (@RahulReply) March 31, 2015
It’s been quite a career! #ThanksDaniel http://t.co/OpmVU5lU8V pic.twitter.com/W7GaoGkJQw
— ICC (@ICC) March 31, 2015
So long, Daniel Vettori – a true champion for New Zealand & the quintessential nice guy of cricket #ThanksDaniel pic.twitter.com/6gg49lijqr
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 31, 2015
Congrats Daniel Vetorri on an outstanding career. On of the best of all time. Been a privilege playing against you.. #ThanksDaniel
— JP Duminy (@jpduminy21) March 31, 2015
On behalf of all ACA members, we’d like to congratulate Daniel Vettori on a fantastic int’l career! #ThanksDaniel pic.twitter.com/FuEduCy7Hn
— Aust Cricketers Assn (@ACA_Players) March 31, 2015
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