“I have been thinking about it seriously for a year, especially with the bad run of injuries I have suffered in recent times”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Ireland all-rounder Alex Cusack has announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect.

Cusack had initially planned to retire after the 2015 World Cup, but decided to postpone his decision to do so until he helped Ireland qualify for the 2016 World Twenty20 in India.

“I have been thinking about it seriously for a year, especially with the bad run of injuries I have suffered in recent times,” Cusack said. “Those injuries have taken a considerable toll on my body, and that’s the main reason why I’m calling it a day now. I’m also the father of three young children, and I feel I need to be around more for them.”

Ireland captain William Porterfield led the tributes and congratulated his long-time team-mate on a highly successful career.

“Alex has been a great servant and performer for Ireland for quite some time,” he said. “Not only has he been such a consistent performer for us on the pitch, but he continued to set the example off it. He was ever the professional and I am sure that how he approached all aspects of the game has had a positive influence on the younger players within the squad.”

All in all, Cusack represented Ireland in 59 ODIs, scoring 745 runs at an average of 22.57 and taking 63 wickets at an average of 23.96. He also played 37 Twenty20 Internationals and made 229 runs at an average of 15.26 and claimed 35 wickets at an average of 20.40.