6 Players who retired in 2016

The year 2016 came to an end and with that, it also saw some of the greats of the game bid adieu to either a particular format or international cricket on the whole. A lot of new faces sprung on the scene in 2016 and impressed a great deal. But the retirement of some of the big names has certainly left big voids to fill for the youngsters in the lineup.

Some players felt it was high time to take a call on their retirement and eventually got through with it despite a heavy heart. Here are 6 such players who retired from international cricket in 2016. While some of them chose to retire from all formats of the game, a few called it quits in select formats in a bid to prolong their careers in the other formats.

1. Laxmipathy Balaji

One of the most loved names among the Indian pacers was Laxmipathy Balaji. He was the star of the India’s tour to Pakistan in 2004-05 season. His clinical bowling and grin had earned him the name of the smiling assassin. However, he couldn’t hold on to his position in the Indian team for long. He continued to play in the domestic circuit and became a giant for his team Tamil Nadu.

He made appearances in the IPL for the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Chennai Super Kings. Balaji played 8 Tests for India and scaled 27 wickets with a best of 5/76. In the 30 ODIs that he played, he picked up 34 wickets with a best of 4/48. He decided to retire from all forms of the game in September 2016.

Also read- 5 Shocking retirements in the year 2016

2. Grant Elliott

Grant Elliott became a household name for the New Zealand cricket fans in 2015. The all-rounder had hit a memorable six to take New Zealand to the finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 for the first time in the history of the game. Elliott was the man of the moment for the Kiwis in the crucial semi-final against South Africa. He retired from the ODIs exactly 12 months after that.

The conclusion of World T20 in India in 2016 saw Elliott announce his retirement from the ODIs. He is yet to take a call on his T20I cricket future. He represented the Black Caps in 83 ODIs and scalped 1976 runs at an average of just over 34 with two centuries to his name. With the ball, he scalped 39 wickets in his career with the best of 4/31.

3. Preston Mommsen

Scotland captain Preston Mommsen announced his retirement from international cricket in order to pursue a new career opportunity in the ‘corporate world’ in November 2016. He retired at a young age of 29 and his retirement was an alarming call the ICC to recognise the players from the associate and affiliate countries. Mommsen made 1,101 ODI runs at 32.38 and 419 at 34.91 in T20 internationals.

He played a vital role in Scotland’s qualification for the 2015 World Cup, having amassed 520 runs at 86.66 during the qualifying tournament, including an unbeaten 139 in the final to propel his side to victory over the United Arab Emirates. He also successfully led his team to their first win in a global tournament at the 21st attempt after seeing off Hong Kong in Nagpur.

Also read- CricTracker fan poll – Best International cricketers of 2016

4. Rangana Herath

Veteran Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath announced his retirement after the conclusion of the ICC World T20 in India in 2016. He retired from ODIs and T20Is. He continues to ply his trade for the national setup in the longest format of the game. Herath featured in 71 ODIs for Sri Lanka, recording 74 dismissals with an average of 31.91 and a strike rate of 43.8. His best bowling figures are 4/20 and boasts of a career economy of 4.37.

In the shortest format, he represented the Lankans in 17 matches and grabbed 18 dismissals with the best performance of 5/3 against New Zealand in 2014 which is also one of the best bowling figures in T20I cricket. Herath also maintained a decent economy of 6.13 despite the format being tough at the bowlers.

5. Jerome Taylor

West Indies pacer shocked the cricketing universe when he suddenly called it quits in the Test cricket. He retired from Tests in June 2016, days before the squad was to be announced for the home series against India. Taylor made his Test debut as an 18-year-old versus Sri Lanka in June 2003 after an impressive domestic season for Jamaica and played his last international series in whites against Australia in January 2016.

His best bowling figures were 6 for 47 against Australia at Sabina Park in 2015. He had four five-wicket hauls and five four-wicket hauls in his 13-year Test career. Batting at number 8 against New Zealand in 2008 he scored 106, which was the only century in his Test career.

Also read- Stats: Test cricket numbers for the year 2016

6. Ramnaresh Sarwan

The right-hander represented the Caribbeans in 87 Tests after making his debut on May 18, 2000, against Pakistan. It was a memorable debut as he scored an unbeaten 84 in the very first inning. Sarwan scored 5842 runs with the best score of 291 in his Test career which includes 15 centuries at an average of 40.1.

He went on to play 181 ODIs for West Indies and scored 5804 runs with a considerable average of 42.60 which includes 5 centuries along with 38 halfs. He also captioned the team for a brief period after the great Brian Lara’s retirement. He retired from international cricket in mid-September last year.