Ireland all-rounder Kevin O’Brien announced his retirement from ODI cricket on Friday (June 18), stating “now is the right time to step away” from the 50-overs side after 15 years of service in the format.
The 37-year-old has taken his call despite Ireland currently involved in the ICC Super League, contesting one of the direct qualification spots at the 2023 World Cup. Pertinent to the same, they are due to host South Africa and Zimbabwe for important series this summer.
The player mentioned in his statement released by Cricket Ireland (CI),
“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.”
O’Brien played 153 ODIs for Ireland and called it quits as their third-highest run-maker in the format with 3,618 at an average of 29.41 and strike-rate of 88.72. Also a useful medium-pacer, he took 114 wickets – Ireland’s highest – and grabbed 68 catches, which is, again, an Irish record.
O’Brien remains widely acknowledged for his big-match impact, as he struck the fastest century in a 50-over World Cup to date in Bangalore against England in the 2011 version of the quadrennial event. His magnificent knock of 113 runs helped Ireland pull off one of their most memorable victories.
“Kevin has played an enormous role in the development of Irish cricket and has delivered regularly on the world stage – particularly in the ODI format,”
Graham Ford, Ireland’s head coach, said.
Though no longer part of the ODI setup, O’Brien is available for selection in the other two formats, as he is “fully committed to T20 cricket – with two World Cups in the next 18 months” and wishes to add to his tally of three Test caps in the near future.
