New Zealand left-handed batter Colin Munro has officially announced his retirement from international cricket after a remarkable career spanning 123 matches for the Blackcaps across all formats. The 37-year-old, renowned for his explosive batting style, featured in 65 T20Is, 57 ODIs, and a solitary Test match for New Zealand.
Munro’s retirement comes at a time when New Zealand has announced its squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, with the batter notably absent from the lineup. Citing his exclusion as the opportune moment to bid adieu to the international stage, Munro reflected on his journey representing his nation.
Munro shared on social media: “Playing for the BlackCaps has been my greatest achievement. I’m incredibly proud to have worn that jersey 123 times across all formats. Today, I announce my retirement from international cricket.”
Despite his absence from recent T20I fixtures, Munro remained hopeful of a return, buoyed by his stellar performances in franchise T20 leagues. However, with the World T20 squad announcement, he recognized the ideal moment to officially close this chapter of his career.
“Even though I haven’t played for a while, I kept hoping I’d get back into the team based on my performance in T20 leagues. I understand why it didn’t happen, but now that the World T20 squad is out, I feel it’s time to retire officially. I’ll be cheering for the team in the Caribbean and look forward to playing in franchise leagues worldwide.”
At the culmination of Munro’s international journey, he leaves behind a significant legacy, finishing as the sixth-highest run-scorer for New Zealand in T20Is, amassing 1,724 runs at an impressive average of 31 and a staggering strike rate of 156.4. His impact in the shortest format of the game is highlighted by three magnificent centuries, the highest by any batter representing his national side.
As Munro embarks on the next phase of his cricketing journey, fans worldwide will fondly remember his contributions to the sport and eagerly anticipate his continued success in the franchise arena.
