Lendl Simmons, the West Indies’ opening batter, announced his retirement from international cricket on Monday.
Taking to Twitter, the Windies cricketer, who last played an international game in October 2021 against South Africa, issued a statement announcing his retirement. “When I wore the Maroon Colours of West Indies Cricket for the first time on debut in ODIs on December 7th, 2006, little did I know that my international career would have lasted 16 years, but my passion and love for the sport fuelled me every day.” I am closing this chapter of international cricket having played 144 matches and scoring 3,763 runs across all formats. I want to thank the West Indies Cricket Team for the opportunities, and I wish the new crop of WI players all the best and to keep on believing in yourselves and your abilities,” said Simmons in his statement.
My family and friends are my true motivators as they kept me inspired for so long. Now, I have the time to be the one cheering them on the sidelines. I really hope that I represented them well because I did it for them. There were times when the odds were against me, but you stood tall alongside me. Of course, whenever we meet in person, whether it’s cheering on in the stands or messages on social media… Despite the ups and downs, you all gave me the energy that was needed to bat on for so long, “he added. “Cricket allowed me to travel the world, meet great people and experience different cultures, leaving uncountable and meaningful memories. I never cheated in the game; I gave it 100 per cent of hard work and that is why I was able to play internationally for almost 16 years,” he continued.
In ODIs, he has represented WI in 68 matches, scoring 1,958 runs at an average of 31.58. Two centuries and 16 half centuries have come off his bat, with the best score of 122.
