Courtesy: Google
On Friday, March 28, Moises Henriques, the captain of New South Wales (NSW), announced his retirement from first-class cricket after he gave up on playing the format midway through the ongoing 2024-25 season in Australia. The 38-year-old, who played four Test matches for the national team, is still going to be available to play for NSW in the One-Day Cup apart from continuing his captaincy duties of Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League (BBL) with just one season remaining on his current contract.
Notably, Moises Henriques last featured in a first-class match for NSW in early November against Queensland in the Sheffield Shield at the Cricket Central in Sydney, a contest which ended in a draw after he scored 6 and 18* in both the innings apart from bowling 18 overs without picking up a wicket. After that, Jack Edwards, who had been appointed the captain of NSW in the One-Day Cup, took over the captaincy of the state team in the remainder of the 2024-25 season.
I just wasn't leading by winning games of cricket for my state in the longer format: Moises Henriques
After NSW finished in fourth place in the six-team Sheffield Shield season, missing out on a place in the final, Moises Henriques decided to retire from first-class cricket. He was quoted as saying, as per Cricket.com.au, “I pretty much made my mind up before Christmas this year that it was time for me to stop playing Sheffield Shield cricket. It was an honour to be able to lead and play for this state for so long, but playing for NSW means leading not only through words and preparation but also performances.”
“My body was still able, even at this ripe old age, but I just wasn't leading by winning games of cricket for my state in the longer format of the game which I believe you have to do at this age,” he added.
Moises Henriques also spoke about how NSW can move forward without him in the Sheffield Shield next season and beyond before thanking them for being a part of his cricketing journey. The all-rounder remarked, “We have a terrific group of younger players that will take over and move this great state forward and I will watch on with keen eyes. I'd love to thank them for providing me an environment to love going to work in.”
