Kevin O’Brien, an all-rounder for Ireland, announced his retirement from international cricket on Tuesday after being eliminated from contention for the T20 World Cup in Australia this year.
Over the course of a 16-year international career, O’Brien participated in three Tests, 153 one-day matches, and 110 T20 matches. He also had experience with many English county clubs and T20 franchise teams abroad.
The 38-year-old is renowned for scoring a 50-ball century against England in a 2011 World Cup group match in India, which is remains the tournament’s quickest century.
A total of 9,048 runs were made by the Dubliner for Ireland, including the nation’s maiden Test century, a second-innings score of 118 against Pakistan in 2018. He also claimed 276 wickets.
O’Brien, who for many years played with his older brother Niall, made the following statement on Twitter: “After 16 years and 389 international matches for my country, I am officially retiring from cricket today.
“Since I haven’t been selected for the Irish squad since the World Cup last year, I feel the selectors and management are considering other options. I had planned to wrap out my career in the T20 World Cup in Australia.
I have made a lot of friends off the field and have a lot of great memories from my time playing for Ireland, so I have enjoyed every minute of it.
Andrew Balbirnie, captain of Ireland, said described playing with O’Brien as “fortunate.”
