New Zealand veteran Daniel Vettori has announced his retirement from international cricket.
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Vettori arrived back in Auckland on Tuesday alongside teammates following the Black Caps’ Cricket World Cup final loss to Australia 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.”
Although the announcement was somewhat expected, it will come as a major blow to New Zealand cricket.
Vettori’s decision to end his international career comes after a superb 18-year career.
The spinner 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.
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