“It’s time to start thinking about the next phase of my life”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

New Zealand all-rounder Nathan McCullum has announced that he will retire from international cricket at the end of the ongoing season.

McCullum, who has represented New Zealand in 84 ODIs and 61 Twenty20 Internationals, has opted to hang his boots up for good as he wants to spend more time with his family.

“I don’t want to make a big song and dance about it, but it’s time to start thinking about the next phase of my life,” McCullum told the New Zealand Herald. “I’ve got the sense that the end of this season is the right time to call it quits in international cricket.

“It’s been hard work for Vanessa in the past five years. She’s spent a lot of it pregnant and has had to do it on her own most of the time. It’s time for me to start investing time in my family and being there for dinners and helping the boys with their homework.”

McCullum will now spend the remainder of his international career mentoring young spinners such as Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner.

“We’ve got to get these guys up to speed and I’m looking forward to playing a mentoring role there,” he said.

McCullum added that he was proud to see his younger brother Brendon captaining New Zealand.

“Every now and then it’s hard case when your little brother is barking orders at you… but he deserves everything he gets in terms of praise,” he said. “He’s worked his butt off and created this team along with Hess and Mike Sandle.”