Ireland's Gary Wilson Calls Time On His Cricket Career

Ireland wicketkeeper-batsman Gary Wilson has decided to call time on his 16-year-old professional career in order to take up the coaching position at North-West warriors.

The wicketkeeper-batsman, who made his international debut against the MCC in 2005, went on to feature in 292 fixtures for Ireland. He also represented counties like Surrey and Derbyshire.

Gary Wilson’s decision to call time on his international career is influenced by the coaching opportunity he has got at North-West warriors.

“It was timing more than anything with the job coming up,” Gary Wilson told BBC Sport NI. ”I would have been happy playing for an another year or two but it was too good an opportunity to miss. You just don’t when a job like this would come up again,” he added. I was at the stage of my career where I was thinking what I was going to do after playing and coaching is something I always wanted to do.” said Wilson.

Speaking about his international career, Gary Wilson accumulated 2072 ODI runs in 105 outings at an average of 23.81 which includes 12 50s and one hundred. He also represented Ireland in 81 T20Is and 2 Tests, scoring 1268 and 45 runs respectively.

He also finished as Ireland’s second-highest wicket-keeper in terms of dismissals, effecting 160 catches and 33 stumpings. The wicketkeeper-batsman, who was appointed as Ireland’s T20I skipper in 2018, represented his country in two 50-over World Cups and five T20 World Cups.

“To step away from international cricket after 16 years is something I will miss dearly – I will miss the guys probably more than anything, but pulling on the shirt and playing for Ireland was the only thing I ever dreamed of growing up,” added Gary Wilson.

“To have played for Ireland 292 times is something I am very proud of – if I had thought I’d have made it 10 times growing up I would have snapped your hand off, so 292 times is something I’m very proud of. To be named T20 captain for Ireland in 2018 was probably my proudest moment internationally. Again, growing up it was something I could only dream of,” he said.

“I think it’s a great time to be taking on the North West Head Coach role, and hopefully I can bring that international and county cricket experience to the role.  think that the performance pathway side of the role is exciting as well – it’s about bringing on the next generation and making sure they are ready for North West cricket.” Gary Wilson added.

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