NZC announced in a statement on Wednesday that De Grandhomme opted to retire from international games...
Digital Desk: New Zealand all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme announced his retirement from international cricket on Wednesday (August 31) after being surprisingly chosen to play in Australia's Twenty20 Big Bash League (BBL) around the new year.
The 36-year-old's selection as a "gold" choice for the Adelaide Strikers in Sunday's BBL draught created a clash with his primary contract with New Zealand Cricket (NZC), which was set to expire in July of next year.
NZC announced in a statement on Wednesday that De Grandhomme opted to retire from international games and was released from his contract.
Fellow Black Cap Trent Boult was also released from his central contract earlier this month so he could concentrate on competing in the lucrative T20 leagues springing up all over the world.
The Zimbabwe-born de Grandhomme, who has played 29 tests, 45 one-dayers and 41 T20s for his adopted country over the last decade, said he had found the grind of international cricket getting harder and harder in recent weeks.
"I also have a growing family and am trying to grasp what my future looks like post-cricket," he added.
"I've been lucky to have the opportunity 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.
De Grandhomme, who scored 1,432 runs at an average of 38.70 and took 49 wickets in test matches, was part of the New Zealand team that won the inaugural World Test Championship last year.
"Colin has been a tremendously significant member of the Black Caps and has contributed to some of the team's finest triumphs," New Zealand coach Gary Stead stated.
"While we are sorry to see him go, we understand that at this point in his career, he is looking to take a different path, and we respect that," the New Zealand coach added.
Last week, the head of the world cricketers' union (FICA) warned that the drain of talent from the international game to T20 leagues was a bigger issue than ever.
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