Grant Elliott signs Kolpak deal, retires from international cricket

Kiwi all-rounder Grant Elliott has called it a day as far as his international career is concerned. He signed a Kolpak deal with Warwickshire County Cricket Club and is all set to announce his retirement. The 38-year-old decided it was time for him to vacate his spot from the national squad, and will now feature for the Birmingham Bears in the Natwest Blast.

“I’m very excited to have signed for Birmingham Bears to play in the T20 Blast. Edgbaston is a fantastic place to play cricket, and I’m really looking forward to taking to the field as a proud Bear and hope to contribute to more success for the club in 2017,” the all-rounder said.

Elliott’s eventful career primarily saw him in the shorter formats of the game. He played 83 ODIs and 16 T20Is in total. Undoubtedly, the most memorable moment of his international career would have been his heroics in leading New Zealand into the 2015 World Cup final. His 73-ball 84 led his side to victory, and yet again chokers South Africa failed to make it to the final of the big event.

Elliott had already announced his retirement from the one-dayers. However, he hadn’t made a decision regarding T20Is as yet. With the Kolpak deal being signed, the New Zealand all-rounder will call it quits and bring the curtains down on his international career.

The IPL auction this year left Grant Elliott unsold. He will therefore, offer his services to the Birmingham Bears in the Natwest Blast scheduled to begin in July this year. His team also features Kiwi players Colin de Grandhomme and Jeetan Patel.

Ashley Giles, Director of Warwickshire CCC, was pleased to have Elliott on board. “Grant has proven himself as a match-winner on the biggest stage. He top scored in the final and semi-final of the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2015 and he has a wealth of T20 experience, having played in several of the world’s leading competitions. He will be a proud Bear and we look forward to welcoming him to Edgbaston in July,” the former English spinner stated.