New Zealand All-Rounder Andrew Ellis Announces Retirement

New Zealand all-rounder Andrew Ellis, 37, brought down the curtains on his 18-year-old career. He represented the national team in 15 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).

Besides this, Andrew Ellis also made 106 first-class appearances for Canterbury, where he scored 5221 runs and picked up 249 wickets.

Elly has been the heart and soul of the team: Captain Cole McConhie

Speaking on behalf of Andrew Ellis, his captain of the Canterbury team said, he was at utmost professional in team and his legacy will remain.

“Elly has been the heart and soul of the team for a long time,” Canterbury captain Cole McConhie was quoted as saying by espncricinfo. “I remember coming into the side and he really took me and the other young players under his wing. He was the utmost professional and his legacy here at Canterbury will stand the test of time.

“He has a massive heart and has been a great all-rounder for us for years. He’ll be very much missed around the group. I just want to, on behalf of the whole Canterbury side, wish Elly the very best of time in life after cricket”.

Andrew Ellis only second New Zealand to match the record

Andrew Ellis, in his 10-year career span on the domestic circuit, was the only player to have played over 100 games in each format – 106 first-class, 133 List A and 127 T20s.

His career, however, was marred by injuries. According to a report in espn cricinfo, he had to battle five stress fractures to his lower back. A surgery in April 2010 finally helped him play consistently and make his way into the New Zealand side.

He made his ODI and T20I debut against Zimbabwe in February, 2012. He then went on to play a home series against South Africa before touring the West Indies and Sri Lanka.