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Black Caps bowler Ian O'Brien - Source: Photosport -
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A tearful Iain O'Brien announced his retirement from
international cricket on Saturday, the New Zealand fast bowler
confirming the current Test series against Pakistan will be his
swan song before he relocates to England.
O'Brien said a desire to be with his wife Rosie was the reason
behind his decision.
"Since we married two and a half years ago we have only spent nine
months together," he said.
"I'm 33-years-old and my main focus now is becoming a `proper'
husband, starting a family, settling down and securing my future in
that country."
O'Brien outlined his future plans after stumps on day three of the
second Test at the Basin Reserve, hours after taking four for 66 to
revive New Zealand's faint chances of pushing for a series win
before next week's final Test in Napier.
He has signed with the Lord's based Middlesex in the English county
competition as an overseas player - an interim move before he
eventually secures residency.
O'Brien dropped out of the selection frame after an unspectacular
debut against Australia - two wickets for 198 from two Tests in
2005. He then spent more than 2-1/2 years on the domestic circuit
for Wellington before he was summoned to South Africa as a
replacement in November 2007.
He has practically been a fixture in the test side from that series
onwards, often filling the role of third seamer.
Bowling into the wind at the Basin, his home ground, was another
forte during his second coming as a Test cricketer.
O'Brien, a hero of New Zealand's 32-run first test victory in
Dunedin last weekend when he took three crucial wickets on the
final afternoon, said he would miss the camaraderie of the team
environment and paid special tribute to captain Daniel
Vettori.
"I would like to acknowledge Dan for his support and confidence in
me in recent years.
"It's been a pleasure to represent my country with the boys. I've
had the opportunity to play with some of New Zealand's greats and
I'll only look back with fondness on my time spent with them on and
off the park."
O'Brien is currently playing his 21st Test - he has 67 wickets at
34.11.
He also played 10 one-day internationals (14 wickets at 34.85) and
four Twenty20 internationals before becoming regarded as a test
specialist.
Vettori flanked an emotional O'Brien at a media conference and
spoke of how much the right armer will be missed.
"I don't think people realise how much we will miss him in terms of
his bowling, his intensity and the energy and his desire to want
the ball at every stage," Vettori said.
"We got through tough times in a test career and all through that
Iain's wanted to bowl.
"Chris Martin and him have been my go-to guys since I've been
captain. Chris is getting on a little bit .... there could be a
change of guard with our pace attack."
O'Brien is the first member of New Zealand's ageing pace attack to
pull stumps.
Martin is a well-preserved 34 while doubts remain over Shane Bond's
future after his man-of-the-match winning exploits in Dunedin
culminated in an abdominal tear.
