William Porterfield announces international retirement

William Porterfield: Former Ireland captain William Porterfield has announced his retirement from international and representative cricket. The 37-year-old, who made his international debut for Ireland in 2006, is the team’s second-highest run-scorer in ODIs, behind Kevin O, behind Paul Stirling, and as the second-most capped player in the format. At the end of his playing career. ‘Brian.

Overall, he captained Ireland in 172 out of 212 international matches – none of whom has led Ireland more often in the format. Notably, he captained Ireland in the three Tests he has played so far and the 2011 and 2015 ODI World Cups. Highlights on the batting front include 85 in the 2007 World Cup victories against Bangladesh, 112 against England in 2013 and 107 against Pakistan in the 2015 World Cup.

Overall, Porterfield scored 4343 runs at 20.35 at 30.58 and 1079 in ODI and T20I cricket respectively.

William Porterfield: “It has been an honor for me to represent my country for 16 years,” Cricket Ireland quoted Porterfield as saying. But I’ve been lucky enough to play since 2006 and it’s been an incredible journey.

“During my career, we have gone from being an amateur team to a Test nation so far. Before me and during my journey, we have hoped to have built an infrastructure that will allow the sport to flourish in Ireland All I wanted to do was leave the shirt in a better place and leave the team in a better place, and hopefully I played a part in making that happen.”

Porterfield will now turn his attention to coaching, having found a gig with Gloucestershire, a club where he began his county career before transferring to Warwickshire.

William Porterfield: “Like I said, it feels a little too real today, but I also think the time is right to walk away – I have been given the opportunity to join Gloucestershire as a consultant coach until the end of the season, and this Opportunities don’t ‘come very often,’ Porterfield said.

“It’s a decision I’ve been thinking about for a long time and hard for the past week or two – and I want to thank Cricket Ireland for allowing me to rise at the last minute and get into the role. Coaching there’s one thing I’d like to get into next, and after talking to my fiancée Hayley, my dad, and a few others I’ve decided to pursue this opportunity.”

Portefield’s retirement follows seamer Peter Chase, who last week took the wraps off his international career at the age of 28. Chase had represented Ireland in 25 ODIs and 12 T20Is, taking 34 and 15 wickets respectively.