Eoin Morgan, who led England to their first-ever ICC Men’s World Cup title in 2019, announced his retirement from professional cricket on Monday with immediate effect. England’s Cricket World Cup-winning captain called time on his international career in June 2022. Morgan’s last appearance came for the Paarl Royals in the semi-final of the recently concluded SA20 League.
The left-hander aggregated 128 runs at a strike rate of 145.45 with a highest of 64 across six innings in the competition. Morgan had retired from international cricket in July last year, following a 16-year-long career that had begun with Ireland, before he moved to England. He continued to play in various global franchise leagues across the world thereafter.
Morgan took to Twitter to announce his retirement and wrote, “It is with great pride that I am announcing my retirement from all forms of cricket. After much deliberation, I believe that now is the right time to step away from the game that has given me so much over the years.”
“From moving to England in 2005 to join Middlesex, right up to the very end, playing for Paarl Royals in SA20, I have cherished every moment. As there are in every sportsperson’s career, there have been highs and lows, but my family and friends have been by my side throughout it all. I would like to say a particularly special thank you to my wife, Tara, my family and close friends who have supported me unconditionally,” the 36-year-old said in an official statement.
“I also must thank all my teammates, coaches, fans, and those behind the scenes who not only made me the player I became but have also made me the man I am today. Thanks to cricket, I have been able to travel the world and meet incredible people, many of whom I have developed lifelong friendships with. Playing for franchise teams across the globe has given me so many memories that I will hold onto forever,” said the former England captain.
“Since my retirement from international cricket, I have been able to spend more time with my loved ones, and I look forward to being able to do so more and more in the future. Having said that, I will undoubtedly miss the adventure and challenges of playing professional cricket,” Morgan said.
