William Porterfield Retirement: Former captain William Porterfield calls time on Ireland cricket career- Former Ireland captain William Porterfield announced his retirement from international cricket on Thursday, calling time on a 16-year career during which the team has progressed from an amateur side to a Test-playing nation. Follow InsideSport.IN For more updates
The 37-year-old left-handed batter led Ireland in a remarkable 253 games across all formats, a span that included two 50-over World Cups and five T20 World Cups as well as the Irish men’s inaugural Test, against Pakistan in May 2018.
William Porterfield Retirement: Former captain William Porterfield calls time on Ireland cricket career
📡: PORTY SAYS FAREWELL
William Porterfield has announced his retirement today. After 16 years and 310 caps, we simply say “Thank you, Porty”.
➡️ Read his statement and reaction: https://t.co/vqhkhzd31V#ThankYouPorty #BackingGreen ☘️🏏 pic.twitter.com/AZSNuNso1L
— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) June 16, 2022
Porterfield, who also had spells with English county clubs Gloucestershire and Warwickshire, compiled 18 hundreds for Ireland, including 107 against Pakistan in Adelaide at the 2015 World Cup.
“It’s been an honour to represent my country for 16 years,” said Porterfield. “It’s something I had always wanted to do since I was a child.
🎥: GREAT MEMORIES
As we say farewell to a legend of Irish cricket, let’s look back at some great memories of @purdy34 in action.#ThankYouPorty #BackingGreen ☘️🏏 pic.twitter.com/tUomTYQcgN
— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) June 16, 2022
“During my career, we’ve gone from an amateur team right through to now being a Test nation…. All I ever wanted to do was leave the shirt in a better place and leave the team in a better place, and hopefully I’ve played a part in doing that.”
Porterfield, who will take up a coaching role with Gloucestershire, played his last international in January at Jamaica’s Sabina Park.
William Porterfield Retirement: Former captain William Porterfield calls time on Ireland cricket career
That ground that holds a special place in Irish cricket history as it was the scene of their shock 2007 World Cup victory over Pakistan.
“It’s the ground where a lot of people say put Irish cricket on the map,” he said.
“That ground holds so many memories for me, right through from the Pakistan win in 2007 to walking off the field back in January having beaten the West Indies 2-1.”
Andrew Balbirnie, the current Ireland captain, said Porterfield would be “a huge loss.”
“William has been an amazing person to have in the dressing room, as a player and as a person,” he added.
William Porterfield Retirement: Former captain William Porterfield calls time on Ireland cricket career
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