Shayne O'Connor Retires
Saturday, March 29 2003
Left-arm swing bowler Shayne O'Connor of New Zealand has retired from all forms of cricket, effective immediately.
O'Connor, 29, took 42 wickets for Otago this summer and finished third on the wicket-takers list.
Many saw him as an automatic selection into the Black Cap's side for the tour of Sri Lanka following his positive return from injury following a year out of the game with a chronic knee problem.
The left-armers retirement come on top of the premature retirements of Geoff Allot, Dion Nash and Chris Drum, effectively leaving New Zealand short of four world-class bowlers.
He played 19 Test matches and 38 ODI's taking a total of 53 and 46 wickets in the two forms of the game respectively.
His premature retirement not only leaves a hole in the NZ international attack, but the loss of a quality bowler in the domestic scene.
He will take up a business opportunity in Otago, like Drum who retired from the game to further his career in business.
Fortunately, New Zealand are blessed with up-and-coming fast bowlers with the likes of Ian Butler, Michael Mason, Daryl Tuffey and spearhead Shane Bond making up for the loss of the older heads over recent years.
However, O'Connor's retirement makes significant the return to full fitness of Chris Cairns, whom, if he is able to bowl again, will now become the most experienced pace bowler in the national squad.
The New Zealand squad for the tour of Sri Lanka will be announced on Wednesday.
Posted by Andre
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