South Africa allrounder Ryan McLaren announces retirement from first-class cricket

McLaren, who has played 54 ODIs and 12 T20Is between 2009 and 2014, played 154 first-class matches.

South Africa allrounder Ryan McLaren announced his retirement from first-class cricket on Thursday. The 35-year-old, who played just two Tests, broke the news on Twitter and said that it was the “right time” and that it was “time for some white ball fun.”

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— Ryan Mclaren (@ryanmac23) January 31, 2019

“I have learned from many to know when it’s the right time. The time has come for me to retire from first-class cricket. I’m grateful to share a changeroom with some of the best our country has produced. Words cannot describe how grateful I am for the support I have had from my wife, family, coaches and teammates both in SA and in county cricket. I have absolutely loved every part of what this game has taught me…time for some white ball fun now,” McLaren’s statement read.

McLaren, who has played 54 ODIs and 12 T20Is between 2009 and 2014, played 154 first-class matches to score 6298 runs at 33.86 and took 459 wickets at 27.61. (ALSO READ: South Africa allrounder Albie Morkel retires from all forms of cricket)

He made his debut with Easterns in the 2003-04 season under pace great Allan Donald and then subsequently played for the Knights from 2005 to 2014 and then had a brief stay with the Dolphins before finishing his career with the Knights.

During his second Test against Australia, McLaren picked up a concussion after he was hit by a bouncer which made him sit out of the series. Incidentally, that was the last of his Test appearances.

McLaren also made brief stints with county sides with Kent between 2007 and 2009. He recently played for Hampshire and Lancashire.