Ben Cutting calls time on his first-class career

Ben Cutting, the bowling all-rounder of Australia, has decided to retire from the longest format of the game and will continue to feature in the T20s. He will be featuring in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) for Mumbai Indians franchise who bought him for Rs 2.2 Crores in the auction held in Bengaluru this year. The cricketer from Queensland had made his debut in 2007 and went on to build a fine career as an all-rounder in whites. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to play for Australia at the highest level in whites.

In 51 matches at the first-class level, he has scalped 170 wickets at an average of 28.41 and amassed 1561 runs at an average of 23.65. Even before calling it a day in the format he had prioritised shorter formats as he had didn’t play even a single game in the recently concluded Sheffield Shield and only featured in 3 matches last year.

Cutting thanks Queensland cricket

Ben Cutting is currently in India for his stint in the IPL and posted an emotional message on social media website Instagram to thank Queensland cricket for giving him the opportunity to don the baggy maroon.

“12 years since I first joined the Queensland Bulls, and 11 years since my debut First Class match, the time has come to call my retirement from the Baggy Maroon. I will not be a part of the contract list for the coming season as I choose to turn my full-time focus to both the shortest format of the game and building my business. I can’t thank Queensland Cricket enough for the opportunities at what has been my home for the past decade!” he wrote.

The 31-year-old has played 7 One-Day Internationals and 4 T20Is for Australia and would be eyeing to build a significant in the shorter formats for his country. Meanwhile, the trend of players giving up the red-ball cricket for T20 cricket has continued.

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