New Zealand allrounder Colin de Grandhomme has announced his retirement from international cricket. He said factors such as injuries and increasing competition in the national side across all three formats made him take the decision.
"I accept I'm not getting any younger and that the training is getting harder, particularly with the injuries," he said in a statement released by New Zealand Cricket. "I also have a growing family and am trying to understand what my future looks like post-cricket. All of this has been on my mind over the past few weeks.
"I've been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to play for the Black Caps since debuting in 2012, and I'm proud of my international career - but I feel this is the right time to finish."
Earlier in the week, de Grandhomme, 36, caught NZC by surprise after being picked by Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League overseas players' draft. "We're now in discussions with Colin to find the best possible way forward," a NZC spokesperson had told ESPNcricinfo then.
De Grandhomme's international career lasted over 10 years and he represented New Zealand in 115 games across formats. He was a fairly regular member of the side in these years because of his disciplined medium-pace bowling and hard-hitting abilities down the batting order. He was part of the team that beat India in the final of the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021 and the side that narrowly went down in the historic 2019 World Cup final.
De Grandhomme started his international career with a T20I against Zimbabwe - the country he was born in and left in 2006 - in Auckland in 2012, and last turned out for New Zealand in the Lord's Test against England this June. He finished with two centuries, eight half-centuries, and took 49 wickets in 29 Tests, including figures of 6 for 41 on debut against Pakistan in 2016. He also had 30 wickets and 742 runs at a strike rate of 106.15 in 45 ODIs.
In the 41 T20Is he played, he scored 505 runs at a strike rate of 138.35 along with 12 wickets.
"I've loved being part of this team over the past decade and am grateful for the experiences we've shared together," he said. "I've made many lasting friendships with team-mates, coaching staff and opponents, and will treasure the memories for the rest of my life."
De Grandhomme was born in Harare in 1986 and made his first-class and List A debuts in Zimbabwe. He also represented Zimbabwe in the 2003-04 Under-19 World Cup before leaving for Auckland in 2006. He made his T20 debut for Auckland in the following year and found his way into the international arena with his all-round abilities.
De Grandhomme has expressed desire to continue playing domestic cricket in New Zealand and will be discussing the way forward with Northern Districts.
While New Zealand head coach Gary Stead expressed disappointment over de Grandhomme exiting the international stage, he understood the reasons behind the move.
"Colin's been a hugely influential part of the Black Caps and contributed to some of the team's greatest achievements," he said. "His immense power with the bat and skills with the ball made him a real match winner and an asset to any side.
"Colin's a great team-man and we will certainly miss his character around the dressing room. While it's sad to see him go - we appreciate he's at a stage in his career where he's looking to head in a different direction and we respect that. We wish him all the best with his future and hope to see him featuring on the New Zealand domestic scene when available."