Retirement-William Porterfield Ireland: Former Ireland captain William Porterfield on Thursday announced his retirement from international cricket, ending his 16-year-long career. Porterfield, 37, informed Cricket Ireland of his decision earlier this week and the board made the official announcement on Thursday. He was the third-highest Irishman and second-highest run-scorer for Ireland.
Having scored 11 ODI centuries, fifty-plus 34 times in ODI and T20 cricket, Porterfield was a pillar in the top-order for Ireland, scoring 10,000 runs internationally in all competitions ranging from various World Cricket League competitions to the global level.
He was appointed captain in 2008 and led the team in over 250 matches in a prosperous period for the team, with Porterfield leading Ireland in their first Test match and the Lord’s Test match against England, handing over the reins to Andrew Balbirnie .
Porterfield was the Irish captain in two Cricket World Cup campaigns and five T20 World Cups, notably contributing to their stunning victory over England at Bangalore in the 2011 50-over tournament. Porterfield will remain a member of the Ireland ODI outfit since relinquishing the captaincy, most recently having scored half-centuries against South Africa and Zimbabwe in last year’s Super League campaign.
Porterfield said, “It’s an honor to represent my country for 16 years. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I must say it’s hard at this point that I’ve made the decision to retire.”
Porterfield, who has worked with Gloucestershire and Warwickshire in county cricket, will now prepare for coaching.
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