Australian cricketer Ryan Carters announces retirement from all forms of cricket

Australian cricket Ryan Carters announced his retirement just a few days after English cricketer Zafar Ansari had announced his retirement at the age of 26. Cricket Australia on Friday confirmed that the New South Wales wicket-keeper has called it quits from all forms of the game.

Just like Ansari, Ryan Carters decided to walk into the phase of retirement to focus on higher studies and also additionally to look after the Batting for change, a charity run by him. The wicketkeeper is hoping to pursue his degree in Philosophy, Politic, and Economics.

Batting for change aims to generate funds in collaboration with the LBW Trust to enable “transformative educational opportunities for disadvantaged women in cricket-playing nations”.

Speaking about his decision, Carter said, “In Australia, as in many other countries, professional sportspeople have a reach and reputation, an ability to influence, that is far outside the boundaries of their sporting achievements.”

Carters said, “I’ve never been more grateful for that than when I founded Batting for Change and watched it grow and directly transform the lives of disadvantaged young women in need of higher education.”

“I’ve always been conscious that you can’t play cricket forever. I’m ready to see if I can find a way to work for social change, for greater fairness in life, away from my sporting pursuits. I’m sure it won’t be easy to do that, so the sooner I can get started, the better.”

Although the wicketkeeper made his debut for Victoria in the year 2010, it was not until in New South Wales where the runs started flowing in. He cemented his place after scoring consecutive centuries in the Shield competition in the 2013-14 season composing 861 runs before he was named the “NSW 2013-14 Sheffield Shield Player of the Year at the Steve Waugh Medal Dinner”.

The wicketkeeper made his announcement on Twitter:

“I’m extremely grateful for the support of Cricket NSW since I started at the Blues in 2013 – it has been a wonderful place to play cricket,” he said. “However, I’m now ready to pursue new kinds of challenges.”

“I’ve had twin passions in my life since I can remember – cricket and learning. I’m at the point where, after eight rewarding years of professional cricket, it’s time for me to follow the other path I’ve always felt as strongly about,” concluded the batsman.