Ireland all-rounder Kevin O'Brien retires from ODIs, to continue playing Tests and T20Is
The legendary cricketer stepped onto the field at Stormont to play in his first ODI for Ireland. The 37-year-old cricketer, who played 153 ODIs and amassed 3618 runs, leaves behind a record-breaking and enviable playing history that has made him a household name around the cricket world. Ireland’s third-highest ODI run-scorer also picked up 114 wickets – ending as Ireland’s highest wicket-taker in ODI cricket. Boyd Rankin is second on the list with 96 ODI wickets.
O’Brien also finishes with Ireland’s most number of catches in the field (68) in ODI cricket, and even captained the side on four occasions, registering three wins.
While there are debates about his most impactful innings in ODI cricket, few will doubt his most memorable was the record-breaking 113 in the 2011 ICC World Cup against England. During the innings he brought up his century off just 50 balls – ten years on, this is still the fastest century ever achieved at a World Cup.
O’Brien has made the decision to close the book on his ODI career to concentrate on T20 cricket, and in the hope of adding to the three Test caps he has to date.
Announcing his decision, O’Brien said: “After 15 years playing for Ireland, I feel now is the right time to step away and retire from ODI cricket. It has been an honour and a privilege to represent my country 153 times and the memories I take from them will last a lifetime.”
“This has not been an easy decision, but after ongoing consideration, I don’t feel I can contribute to the ODI team as much as I have in the past. The hunger and love for the ODI format is no longer the same as it was and it wouldn’t be fair to Andrew, Graham, the team and our supporters to continue to play while no longer feeling at 100%.”
