Dublin – Eire wicketkeeper-batsman Niall O’Brien introduced on Friday that he’s retiring from global and first class cricket after a 16-year occupation.

The 36-year-old, who made his global debut in opposition to Denmark in 2002, performed 216 occasions for Eire and gave the impression in his country’s first-ever Check, in opposition to Pakistan, in Would possibly this yr.

O’Brien opted for the quantity 72 blouse to mark his match-winning rating in Eire’s well-known win in opposition to Pakistan on the 2007 Global Cup.

His county occupation integrated spells with Kent, Northamptonshire and Leicestershire.

“It’s with a heavy center that I’m pronouncing my retirement from global {and professional} cricket,” stated O’Brien, who has performed a lot of his occupation along his more youthful brother Kevin.

“I’ve been blessed to were fortunate sufficient to have represented my nation for 16 years with lots extra united statesthan downs and for this I glance again with not anything however smiles and laughter.”

Cricket Eire efficiency director Richard Holdsworth stated O’Brien have been symbolic of the upward thrust of Irish cricket.

“He has the honor of being central to a type of really iconic Irish wearing moments — the Global Cup win over Pakistan in 2007,” he stated.

“Whilst he had many extra achievements all the way through his occupation next to this, it’s the phase he performed in that win that etched him into the Irish wearing psyche and one thing he will have to be justifiably pleased with.”