England World Cup winning captain Eoin Morgan announces retirement from cricket

13 February 2023 , 09:10

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Eoin Morgan has announced his retirement from cricket (Image: Gareth Copley-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

England's 2019 World Cup winning captain Eoin Morgan has officially announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.

During an illustrious career, Morgan played over 350 international matches for both England and Ireland and retires as England's all-time leading run scorer in ODI cricket with 6,957. He is also one of just three World Cup winning England captains, although both Paul Collingwood and Jos Buttler won the T20 World Cup.

Morgan's lasting legacy is the way he masterminded England's white-ball revolution, having transformed a team which embarrassingly crashed out of the 2015 World Cup with defeat to Bangladesh into world champions just four years later.

In a statement on social media, Morgan said: "It is with great pride that I am announcing my retirement from all forms of cricket. After much deliberation, I believe that now is the right time to step away from the game that has given me so much over the years.

"From moving to England in 2005 to join Middlesex, right up to the very end, playing for Paarl Royals in SA20, I have cherished every moment. As there are in every sportsperson’s career, there have been highs and lows, but my family and friends have been by my side throughout it all.

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"I would like to say a particularly special thank you to my wife, Tara, my family and close friends who have supported me unconditionally. I also must thank all my teammates, coaches, fans, and those behind the scenes who not only made me the player I became but have also made me the man I am today.

"Thanks to cricket, I have been able to travel the world and meet incredible people, many of whom I have developed lifelong friendships with. Playing for franchise teams across the globe has given me so many memories that I will hold onto forever.

"Since my retirement from international cricket, I have been able to spend more time with my loved ones, and I look forward to being able to do so more and more in the future. Having said that, I will undoubtedly miss the adventure and challenges of playing professional cricket."

Following his retirement from international cricket in June, Morgan continued to play domestic cricket and represented a number of franchises across the world. He also began a broadcasting career with Sky Sports and the 36-year-old plans to continue his commentary and punditry work.

"Although I am calling time on my playing career, I will still be involved in the game, working alongside broadcasters at international and franchise tournaments as a commentator and pundit," he concluded. "I am sincerely looking forward to what the future holds."

Matthew Cooper