5 Shocking retirements in the year 2016

It is often said that “May you live in Interesting times”. The year 2016 has been one such, which can be considered as progressive, illuminating, outstanding and memorable for the gentleman’s game. Even though the fab four of modern day cricket has made the men’s version of the game fascinating, the sport has witnessed many heart-breaking episodes as well. 2016 took the on-field game to memorable highs and lows. While this year has brought a plethora of stars to our platter, it has also astonished the cricketing fraternity with some tragic and unforeseen retirements. Here’s a list of the players who bid adieu to International cricket in 2016: 1. Brendon McCullum – New Zealand Brendon McCullum captain of New Zealand. (Photo by MARTY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images) The flamboyant wicketkeeper-batsman from Dunedin made an exit from the Kiwi camp in February 2016. He led New Zealand in all three formats of the game successfully. Baz led the New Zealand team to their first ever semi-final victory after six semi-final losses in the previous ICC events. Brendon McCullum played his final Test match at Christchurch. In the match, he scored a scintillating hundred of just fifty-four balls, which is the fastest hundred in Test cricket. He also holds the record of being the only New Zealander to have scored a triple ton. Baz averages more than 30 in all the three formats of the game. He likes to take the attack to the opposition, irrespective of the match conditions. Bowling to McCullum was a nightmare for the bowlers. His style was always awed on. Fans would have expected him to lead the Kiwis in the World T20 2016 but he had other ideas. His retirement came as a rude shock to cricket fans across the globe. 2. Tillakaratne Dilshan – Sri Lanka Sri Lankan cricketer Tillakaratne Dilshan (C) receives a farewell from the crowd. (Photo by ISHARA S.KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images) Considered as one the unparalleled executors of the square-cut, Dilshan has notched up innumerable match winning performances for Sri-Lanka. Dilshan made his Test and ODI debut during the Sri Lankan team’s tour of Zimbabwe in 1999. He has the unique feat of being the first cricketer in the history of the game to have scored hundreds in all three formats as a captain. The Dil Scooper has more than 10,000 One-Day International runs to his credit and averages 39 in the one day format. Dilshan bagged the Twenty20 International performance of the year at the 2009 ICC awards for his 96 off 57 balls against West Indies in the semi-final of the 2009 ICC world Twenty20 in England. He announced his retirement from Test cricket and the shorter formats of the game in October 2013 and August 2016 respectively. 3. James Taylor – England James Taylor and Jonathan Bairstow of England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) James Taylor was a serendipitous find for England in the recent years. Having represented England at the Under-19 level in the past Taylor made his One-Day International (ODI) debut for England in august 2011. He had an impressive run during the ICC World Cup 2015 where he scored an invaluable 98 in a losing cause. Taylor also has a hundred in an ODI against Australia. Unfortunately, the 26-year-old was diagnosed with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), a serious heart condition which forced him to retire from all forms of cricket in April 2016. 4. Shane Watson – Australia Shane Watson of Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan – CA/Cricket Australia/Getty Images) The prolific all-rounder made his debut for Australia in 2002 under his idol, Steve Waugh. Watson announced his arrival to International arena in the ICC Champions Trophy 2006 and made justice to his selection as an all-rounder. He amassed 10,911 runs across all three formats of the game with a batting average exceeding 40 in ODIs. In January 2016, Watson was named as the T20I captain and became one few Australians to captain his team in all formats. He was awarded with the coveted Allan Border medal for two consecutive years, 2010-11. He was also elected as the Australian ODI player from 2010-12. Watson’s retirement completely came out of the blue. He was easily one of the best all-rounder of the game in the shorter formats. Watto is widely known for his ability to hit the ball straight over the bowler’s head and clear the fence with ease. He bid farewell to International cricket right after the T20I match against India in March 2016. He was the last player to have retired from Australia’s golden era of the early 2000s. 5. Shivnarine Chanderpaul – West Indies Shivnarine Chanderpaul of West Indies. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) Anyone who has played cricket would have tried to imitate his unorthodox batting stance. Chanderpaul has a staggering average of 51 in Test cricket with 11,867 runs to his credit. He scored his 29 Test centuries and is equaled with Sir Donald Bradman’s haul. He was one of the most consistent middle order batsmen for the Caribbean side. He remained an underrated cricketer all through his career. His retirement can be termed a well-timed one. Chanderpaul was last seen sporting the Caribbean whites in May 2015. He announced his retirement from International cricket in January 2016. Written by Sharadha

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5 Shocking retirements in the year 2016

2. Tillakaratne Dilshan – Sri Lanka

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