The year gone by: Cricketers who called time on their careers in 2019

On the morning of December 29, 2019, Australian pacer Peter Siddle announced his retirement from international cricket. The veteran pacer represented Australia in 67 Test matches with 221 wickets at an average of 30.66. Siddle last represented the Kangaroos in the 2019 Ashes which Australia went on to retain after a 2-2 series scorline.

Speaking on his retirement, the Morwell born cricketer said "As a young kid, I never thought I'd play one, let alone play 67, so very happy. I've played 180 first-class games, so the longevity to be able to play long-form cricket over that short time, it's all about keeping the body right, maintaining a healthy body and doing everything you can to adjust throughout those years."

Also see – BPL 2019 Schedule

The year turned out to be an eventful one amidst the joys and agony of the game. There were some other international cricketers who bid farewell to the game in the year gone by and here, we take a look at a few of those.

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#1. Imran Tahir

Imran Tahir

South Africa's premier leg-spinner for 9 years, Tahir hung up his boots from ODI cricket after the team's dismal showing during the 2019 World Cup in England. Tahir played 173 one-day internationals for the Proteas picking up 173 wickets at an average of 24.84 and an excellent economy of under 5. Ever since Nicky Boje's departure from the team, South Africa was constantly looking for a healthy spin option and tried multiple talented cricketers in this pursuit. However, the search ended in 2011 once Tahir started off his career with the Proteas side, turning out to be a mainstay in bowling for a side that majorly relied on fast bowlers.

Despite the cricketer's retirement from one-day format of the game, fans across the world will not miss Tahir's fancied marathon-run celebrations, as the leg-spinner will continue to represent South Africa in T20 cricket alongside playing for the franchise based T20 leagues across the world.

Nicky Boje.

#2. Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh, the cricketer who played crucial roles in both of India’s World Cup triumphs in this century, retired from all forms of international cricket on June 10, 2019. The left-hander scored 8701 runs in ODIs averaging close to 37 with 14 centuries and 52 half-centuries under his belt. His 111 wickets in ODIs speak volumes of his all-round abilities as a cricketer. The southpaw will always be considered one of the finest white-ball cricketers India produced and be remembered as the man who helped India win two World Cup trophies.

Though Yuvraj won’t be seen in the IPL. he has vowed to continue playing franchise based cricket across the globe in times to come.

#3. Lasith Malinga

Lasith Malinga

Lasith Malinga retired from ODI cricket in July 2019 during the series against Bangladesh. Malinga has been a premier bowler for Sri Lanka, picking up 338 wickets in 226 games for the Islanders at an average of under 29. Malinga initially caught everyone’s attention for his unorthodox slinging action which seemed hard to pick for the batsmen. However, apart from his action the batsmen found it extremely tough to counter his toe-crushing yorkers. The fast-bowler always possessed an immaculate accuracy in terms of bowling yorkers, a handy skill that got him wickets all across the world.

The double 4 wicket hat-tricks will always be considered one of the many highlights of the Sri Lankan’s career. Malinga will continue to play in the T20 formats for Sri Lanka and franchise cricket.

#4. Hashim Amla

Hashim Amla

Hashim Amla can arguably be regarded as one of the finest batsmen to have donned the South African colours. Amla called time on his international career in August 2019 finishing with more than 100 Tests and ODIs for South Africa. In 124 Tests, Amla scored 9282 runs at an average of 46.64 with 28 centuries. In 181 ODIs for the Proteas, the right-hander amassed 8113 runs with 27 hundreds averaging close to 50.

In ODI cricket, Amla holds the world record for being the fastest batsman to reach 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000 and 7000 runs, bettering even the likes of Kohli and AB de Villiers. Amla, along with the likes of teammates De Villiers and Faf du Plessis, turned out to be a batting mainstay for the Proteas that saw one of the best phases in South African cricket after the retirement of stalwarts Jacques Kallis and Grame Smith.

#5. Dale Steyn

Dale Steyn

Dale Steyn called time on his international Test career in late 2019. Steyn played 93 Tests for South Africa picking up 439 wickets. The speedster was not only the most successful Test bowler for the Proteas, but was also considered to be the best of his time in world cricket. The fact that he spent the longest time at the top of ICC’s Test bowlers’ rankings is proof enough of the pacer’s supremacy in the whites.

Though the fans won’t be able to see the express pacer in Test cricket, everyone can take heart from the fact that he will continue to play both the white-ball formats of the game for South Africa.