5 famous players whose careers ended because of controversies

#4 Andy Flower

Andy Flower batting against India

Andy Flower carved out a stellar international career for himself between 1992 and 2003. With 4,794 Test runs to his name at an average of 51.54, he is regarded as one of the country’s greatest ever batsmen.

Although he also played 215 ODIs, Flower was evidently most at home in the Test arena, where he could accumulate runs at his own pace.

The left-hander was an expert at playing the ball into gaps. He was also a superb player of spinners, and executed the sweep shot with aplomb.

Flower played several standout innings over the course of his career, such as the 115 not out versus Sri Lanka on ODI debut and the 156 against Pakistan in his country’s first-ever Test match win (in 1995).

But just when Flower was at the top of his game, his career ended with a controversial incident in 2003. Flower and his teammate Henry Olonga were unhappy with the Zimbabwean government at the time and so decided to wear black armbands in protest during their team’s first match of the World Cup.

The incident provoked a huge storm at home and both players decided to retire from international cricket soon after.

Flower subsequently moved to England, where he has since forged a highly successful coaching career.