New Zealand cricket has lost a powerful force with the international retirement announcement of Colin Munro. The left-handed batsman, known for his aggressive batting style, officially called time on his career, spanning 123 matches across all three formats.
Colin Munro: Career highlighted by White-Ball success
Colin Munro, nicknamed “Munro Mania” for his explosive batting, leaves a legacy of over 3,000 international runs and seven wickets. He etched his name in the record books by becoming the BLACKCAPS‘ current sixth-highest T20 run scorer, amassing 1,724 runs at a blistering strike rate of 156.4.
He also holds the distinction of being the only New Zealander with three T20 international centuries.
Journey from U19 World Cup to Global Stages
Colin Munro’s cricketing journey began at the 2006 ICC Under 19 World Cup. He then progressed to make his international debut across all formats in 2012-13 during a tour of South Africa.
While featuring in just one Test match, he truly shone in the white-ball arenas. He was a vital cog in the BLACKCAPS’ T20 and ODI teams between 2016 and 2019, participating in the 2014 and 2016 T20 World Cups and the 2019 ODI World Cup.
Colin Munro: Record-Breaking exploits
Colin Munro’s time in international cricket was marked by numerous record-breaking feats. Notably, his 47-ball century against the West Indies in 2018 stood as the fastest T20 century for New Zealand at the time, further solidifying his reputation as a quick scorer.
He also holds the record for the fastest T20 half-century by a New Zealander with his 14-ball blitz against Sri Lanka in 2016.
Time to Close New Zealand Chapter for Colin Munro
While acknowledging it wasn’t an easy decision, Munro expressed his immense pride in representing New Zealand on the international stage. While he harbored hopes of a return based on his franchise cricket form, he believes now is the perfect time to officially close the international chapter of his career, particularly with the recent T20 World Cup squad announcement.
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Memorable Moments and looking forward
Looking back, Munro cherishes the team’s journey to the 2019 World Cup final as a highlight of his career. He now expresses his gratitude for the opportunity to have shared this experience with his teammates and family.
NZC lauds Colin Munro contribution
NZC chief executive Scott Weenink acknowledged Munro’s lasting impact on New Zealand cricket. He hailed Munro as a pioneer of aggressive batting and a key figure in revolutionizing the way short-format cricket is played.
While his international career has come to a close, Munro will continue to entertain fans worldwide through his participation in franchise cricket around the globe.
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