Vettori announces his retirement

Daniel Vettori has confirmed his retirement from international cricket, declaring that the World Cup final against Australia was his last game for New Zealand. The New Zealand players landed in Auckland on Tuesday after Sunday’s loss at the MCG and Vettori announced that his 18-year international career was over.

“It was my last game for New Zealand, in the final, so it was a lovely way to finish,” Vettori told reporters at Auckland airport. “It would have been great to win, but I’m pretty proud of everyone, the way we’ve gone about things the last six weeks.”To be able to finish in the final, albeit without a win, I’m just very grateful for the amount of support I had particularly from Brendon [McCullum] and Mike [Hesson]. To be able to get back from a number of injuries and to be here and to be part of it … is something I’ll always treasure.”

The decision was no surprise, for it was widely expected that Vettori, 36, would farewell international cricket after the World Cup. His departure marks the end of an era that began in February 1997, when at 18 Vettori became the youngest man ever to make his Test debut for New Zealand. His one-day debut arrived the following month.