List Of International Cricketers Who Retired In 2019

List Of International Cricketers Who Retired In 2019: International cricket has already bid adieu to some of the world-class cricketers in 2019. It is the rule of the nature that the previous generation will make their way for the younger lot. We have witnessed many star cricketers bidding farewell to international cricket in 2018 and 2019 has been no different.

While the emergence of new blood is always heartening to see, it also simultaneously spells the end for some seasoned veterans. Some called time on their careers on a high, but not all of them were lucky to get the farewell they deserved.

Here is the list of cricketers who have announced their retirement in 2019:

Also read: Top 10 Batsmen With Most Sixes In T20Is

Shoaib Malik

Pakistan all-rounder, Shoaib Malik, announced his retirement from ODI cricket minutes after their last ICC World Cup 2019 fixture. However, Malik will continue playing in the T20s and aims to feature in the World T20 next year.

Malik, who made his debut in the 1990s, played a total of 287 ODIs, garnering 7534 runs, the fifth-highest tally for a Pakistan batsman. He also took 158 wickets, in a career that began against West Indies at Sharjah in October 1999.

The veteran all-rounder has been one of the stalwarts of Pakistan cricket still competes in various T20 leagues across the globe.

Ambati Rayudu

Indian middle-order batsman Ambati Rayudu announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, including the IPL, on July 2019. The decision comes after the selectors snubbed from the ICC World Cup squad despite being in the list of standbys.

In 55 ODIs, Rayudu scored 1694 runs with three centuries and ten half-centuries at an average of 47.05. In the six T20Is he played, the middle-order batsman scored 42 runs. Rayudu never got a chance to represent India in Test cricket.

Rayudu also had a successful turnout in the IPL for Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. It was his outstanding outing in the 2018 IPL that laid the platform for Rayudu to make a comeback in the Indian team but a fall out ahead of the World Cup led to premature retirement.

However, two months later, Rayudu reversed his decision citing that his earlier announcement was more of an emotional one.

Hashim Amla

South Africa opener Hashim Amla called time on his 15-year-long international career on August 2019. He ends his time as a South Africa player having represented his nation in 124 Tests, 181 ODIs and 44 T20Is.

The prolific opener’s Test career saw him hit 28 centuries with his 9282 runs in the format coming at an average of 46.64. He also holds an excellent record in the ODI with the fastest to 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000 and 7000 ODI runs.  Amla finishes his ODI career with 27 centuries, the most by a South African batsman, and an average just under 50.

Hashim Amla has been a great servant of South African cricket leading their batting for an extended period of time.

Imran Tahir

Imran Tahir has been a champion cricketer winning innumerable matches for his side single-handedly. He bid farewell to ODI cricket after South Africa’s premature exit from the ICC World Cup 2019.

Tahir concluded his ODI career with 173 wickets in 107 matches with the best figures of seven for 45. He has been an integral part of the Proteas set-up since making his international debut.

The leg-spinner, who is a globetrotter, will continue to represent South Africa in the shortest format of the game. He also represents various franchises in the T20 league around the world.

JP Duminy

South Africa all-rounder JP Duminy retired from the one-day format of the game after the conclusion of the ICC World Cup 2019. Duminy, who announced his retirement from Tests in September 2017; however, will continue being available for South Africa in Twenty20 Internationals.

Duminy scored 5117 runs in 199 ODI matches at a strike-rate of 84.58. The off-spinner also claimed 69 ODI wickets with a career-best spell of four for 16. The all-rounder, who has served for the Proteas for long, had a few poor turnouts which led to his decision.

The all-rounder, meanwhile, will continue to play in the T20Is for South Africa and various franchise leagues around the globe.

Dale Steyn

Dale Steyn, one of the greatest fast bowlers in history, has called time on his Test career with immediate effect. The Proteas fast bowler has poorly suffered due to multiple injuries in recent years, notably during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019.

Steyn played 93 Tests for South Africa, finishing with 439 wickets, the most in the long format by a Proteas bowler. His strike-rate of 42.3 balls per wicket is the best of anyone with more than 200 Test wickets. Moreover, his 263 weeks spent atop the ICC MRF Tyres Test Bowling Rankings is also unmatched by any other bowler.

One of the greatest fast bowlers of this generation, Steyn will continue to play in the ODI and T20I format of the game.

Yuvraj Singh

Indian National Cricket Team’s 2011 World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh decided to bid farewell to international cricket on June 10 (Monday) after an 18-year-long fighting career.

One of the most successful white-ball cricketers of all time, Yuvraj Singh scored 8,702 runs in ODIs and including a total of 52 fifties. He has also represented India in Test cricket, earning 40 caps. However, he wasn’t a regular member of the Test side and faced stiff competition from his colleagues.

Meanwhile, Yuvraj has vouched to play cricket for various franchises across the globe until the time he enjoys the game of cricket.

Johan Botha

Johan Botha, an all-rounder in its original form, announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in January, this year with immediate effect. Botha last played for Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL before retiring citing wear and tear on his body and sheer physical fatigue.

He was one of South Africa’s stand-out performers at the 2011 Men’s Cricket World Cup and also did a spectacular job in the World T20 in 2012. A globetrotter in its truest form, Botha has played over 500 matches and claiming over 500 wickets in his professional cricket career.

Botha has played five Test matches, 78 ODIs, and 40 T20Is picking 126 wickets and also scoring over 1000 runs for the Proteas.

Venugopal Rao

All-rounder Venugopal Rao has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket with immediate effect last month. Rao has represented India in 16 ODIs during 2005 and 2006.

The all-rounder made his ODI debut in 2005 against Sri Lanka and was given a good run that year. He managed to score only 241 runs from 16 ODIs including a fifty against Pakistan in the UAE. Rao’s last ODI came against West Indies in 2006, and with young players coming, the selectors didn’t call him ever again.

Rao has represented three franchises in the IPL and represented Andhra for many years in a career ranging over 17 years.

Lasith Malinga

Sri Lanka’s match-winner for so many years, Lasith Malinga called time on his international after the first ODI against Bangladesh in the last week of July. The veteran reminded everyone of his greatness with a three-wicket haul helping his side clinch a comfortable victory.

Malinga finished with 338 wickets in 226 matches – going ahead of Anil Kumble to be ninth on the all-time list of wicket-takers. His toe-crushing yorkers and slower delivery have been a treat to watch for all the cricket lovers.

However, the pacer will continue to feature in the shorter version of the game for his country and for the franchise-based teams all over the world.

Jade Dernbach

England pacer Jade Derbnbach announced his retirement from international cricket on the most iconic day in the history of England cricket. The pacer fell out of bound and played his last international game in 2014. However, he will continue to play domestic cricket for Surrey.

Standing 6ft and 2inches, the fast bowler played 24 ODIs and 34 T20Is in which he scalped 31 and 39 wickets respectively for his country. He back of the hand slower deliveries made him one of the lethal weapons in T20I cricket.

Dernbach, who made his first-class debut for Surrey way back in 2003, will continue to play for Surrey in the domestic circuit.

Nuwan Kulasekara

Nuwan Kulasekara, the Sri Lankan paceman, called time on his international career with immediate effect on July. The right-arm pacer finished as the third-highest ODI wicket-taker for Sri Lanka among pacemen and fifth-highest overall on the Sri Lankan charts.

Kulasekara made his ODI debut in 2003 against England and went on to play 184 matches till 2017 when he turned out against Zimbabwe in Hambantota. He took 199 ODI scalps at 33.92. Kulasekara also played 21 Tests, claiming 48 wickets, and took 66 scalps in 58 T20Is, a return that made him the joint second-highest wicket-taker for Sri Lanka in the format.

Mohammad Amir

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir announced his retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect on July 26 (Friday). However, he will continue to play in the limited-overs cricket for his country.

Mohammad Amir made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in Galle in July 2009 only at the age of 17. He featured in 36 Tests claiming 119 wickets at an average of 30.47. Amir has taken this big step considering the upcoming World T20 next year.

Amir, who had an outstanding World Cup, will look to be at his best and help Pakistan clinch their second World Cup title.

Solomon Mire

Zimbabwe allrounder Solomon Mire has announced his retirement from international cricket across all formats. He had made up his minds to quitting Zimbabwe cricket after their recent tour of Ireland.

He finishes his international career having played two Tests, 47 ODIs and nine T20Is. Mire registered one century and five fifties across formats and taking a total of 14 wickets with his bustling fast-medium seamers. His career highlight was the century he made in Zimbabwe’s memorable win over Sri Lanka two years ago where his side chased down 317 with 14 balls to spare.

Mire has been in and out of the Zimbabwe squad and was also a part of the 2015 World Cup squad.

Ajantha Mendis

Sri Lanka cricketer Ajantha Mendis, who announced his arrival in international cricket as a mystery spinner, bid farewell to all forms of cricket on August 28. Mendis turned heads during the 2008 Asia Cup, claiming six wickets against a heavyweight Indian top-order who failed to read his carrom balls.

Mendis played 19 Tests, 87 ODIs and 39 T20Is, picking up 288 wickets at the highest level. Gradually the batters started to pick him up, which reduced his effectiveness in international cricket. He last played for Sri Lanka in December 2015. He also went onto become the fastest to 50 ODI wickets, a feat yet to be bettered.

The mystery spinner has also enjoyed good success in the T20Is picking two six-wicket hauls against Australia and Zimbabwe.

Chamara Kapugedera

Former Sri Lanka ODI skipper Chamara Kapugedera has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, earlier this week. Kapugedera made his ODI debut in 2006 against Australia and was a permanent member of the squad till 2010.

He struggled to perform consistently and was later dropped from the side before he made another comeback in 2015. His talent has never been in doubt, but in international cricket, that raw ability has not usually translated into runs. Many argued that he batted too low to have any impact but nevertheless, his impacts were minimal considering his ability.

Chamara Kapugedera has represented Sri Lanka in 8 Tests, 102 ODIs & 43 T20Is scoring 2745 across all the formats. Currently, he is coaching Saracens Sports Club and looks to pursue his career in coaching.

Vernon Philander

Veteran fast bowler from South Africa Vernon Philander has announced that he will retire from international cricket after the series against England. Since making his debut in 2011, Philander has emerged as one of the greatest fast bowlers to represent South Africa at the international arena.

Philander made an emphatic Test debut against Australia claiming eight wickets including a five-for in the second innings that helped South Africa bowl out the Aussies for 47 to register an eight-wicket victory. He took a record-breaking 51 wickets in his first seven Test matches which earned him the 2012 South African Cricketer of the Year.

His international career spanned more than 12 years as he grew into one of the finest players to represent South Africa and so far played 98 matches across all three formats.

Peter Siddle

One of Australia’s most beloved fast bowlers of the modern era, Peter Siddle, called time on his international career on December 29 (Sunday). A part of many infamous Ashes squad, the fast bowler from Victoria played 67 Test matches in his career which spanned more than a decade.

Siddle made his Test debut in Mohali in 2008 against a star-studded Indian side. After claiming Tendulkar as his maiden Test wicket, arguably the most memorable moment of his career came on the first day of the 2010-11 Ashes at the Gabba when, on his 26th birthday, he took a hat-trick.

Siddle also played 22 ODIs and two T20s for Australia; however, he earned his name mostly in the longest format of the game. Although he decided to retire from international cricket but will continue to play in the domestic cricket and BBL.