Colin de Grandhomme, an all-rounder for New Zealand, announced his retirement from international cricket on Wednesday. According to sources, the 36-year-old made the decision after being selected as the surprise pick in the most recent Big Bash League (BBL) Draft in Australia.
De Grandhomme, a veteran of 29 Tests, 45 ODIs, and 41 T20 Internationals, was chosen by the Adelaide Strikers to be a member of their squad for the Australian domestic T20 competition prior to the BBL-12 season.
When Adelaide Strikers head coach Jason Gillespie selected de Grandhomme in the Draft, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) was taken aback because the player was under contract to the nation's cricket board and hence ineligible to compete in the BBL.
Following discussions with NZC and an agreement to release him from his central contract, de Grandhomme decided to retire from international cricket on Wednesday, according to the ICC.
The all-rounder, who played for New Zealand in over 100 games across three formats, acknowledged that family responsibilities and physical issues played a role in the choice.
De Grandhomme was quoted as saying, "I accept I'm not getting any younger and that the training is getting harder, particularly with the injuries."
"In addition, my family is expanding, and I'm trying to figure out what my life will be like beyond cricket. Over the past two weeks, I've been thinking about all of this."
De Grandhomme was a vital player in New Zealand's 2019 Cricket World Cup campaign, helping the team reach the final at Lord's before falling to England in a nail-biting match. De Grandhomme was a member of the New Zealand team that defeated India to win the 2021 World Test Championship final.
De Grandhomme, who scored more than 3,000 runs and took significant wickets for New Zealand, is proud of his role in the team's great spell.
"I've been lucky to have the chance to play for the Black Caps since making my international debut in 2012, and I'm pleased of my international career, but I feel that this is the perfect time to retire," the player said.
Gary Stead, the Black Caps' head coach, led the tributes after the choice.
He noted that Colin had "been a tremendously influential element of the Black Caps and contributed to some of the team's greatest victories." "His tremendous batsmanship and ball-handling abilities made him a true match-winner and a valuable member of any team.
Even while it's painful to see him go, we understand that at this point in his career, he's wanting to take a different path, and we respect that.