Clint McKay announces retirement from all forms of cricket

Barely a few weeks after his 33rd birthday, former Australian pacer Clint McKay called it quits, making his announcement on twitter. He retires from the game having featured in 59 ODIs and one Test for Australia since making his debut in the fall of 2009. He has also been one of the longest serving players for the Victoria Bushrangers having featured in 114 matches.

Speaking to the Australian media, McKay conceded that it was a hard call to make. However, he also mentioned that it was a call he had to take after losing his place in the Australian side. McKay also pointed out that the 2013 Indian tour was something he would not look back with fondness.

“Yeah, it was difficult to take,” McKay told cricket.com.au about losing his spot in Australia’s ODI team. “But that’s sometimes how things pan out.

“I didn’t have a great series of India (in 2013) and that was the beginning of the end (of my international career). I came back to Australia and had a good summer – I only played three games but I did quite well in two of those three games.

He also stated that he was extremely disappointed. However, part of him was happy about the fact that the future of Victorian and Australian cricket looks bright.

“It was a little disappointing to lose my spot but the young generation coming through have got some superstars in the making. They were performing quite well and it was great for them to get their opportunity.

“It was disappointing that it had to come at my expense but it’s just one of those things that happen in the pressure of sport.”

Clint McKay brought the focus back to the horrendous 2013 tour of India, where they were whitewashed in the Test series.

“If the team hadn’t been so successful, it would have been a lot harder to take,” the right-arm said. “But we’ve got some great young guys coming through and also some senior heads, so it’s actually quite a hard side to cement your spot in.

“You look at the guys who’ve played in the last two Shield finals – you’ve got James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, and John Hastings who are Australian bowlers, and this year you’ve seen the younger guys in Scott Boland and Chris Tremain step up.

“So the attack has been amazing and when one goes down (through national duties or injury), there’s another there to take their place.

“It has been a little bit difficult (being out of the side), but in some respects helping out the younger guys coming through and seeing them forge their own careers is quite a good feeling as well.”

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