Just a few days before the Indian cricket team’s two-match T20I series, Ireland cricket team legend William Porterfield has announced his retirement from all formats of cricket. Porterfield has been the longest-serving captain of the Ireland cricket team. The left-handed batter took Irish cricket to newer heights.
When Porterfield started playing international cricket, Ireland was not considered as a force to be reckoned with in this sport, but the team kept on improving. They announced their arrival in world cricket by upsetting Pakistan cricket team in the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup. Ireland qualified for the Super 8s in that mega event.
Four years later, the Ireland cricket team came into the limelight again by defeating the England cricket team in a historic run-chase. They were quite close to qualifying for quarterfinals but missed out eventually. Ireland also did well in the 2015 Cricket World Cup but failed to make it to the final 8.
Ireland soon attained Test playing status and performed well against the England cricket team and the Pakistan cricket team. Speaking about Porterfield’s numbers in international cricket, he scored 5,480 runs in 212 matches across formats. He registered 11 centuries and 23 half-centuries.
Here’s what he said in his retirement speech:
“It’s been an honour to represent my country for 16 years – it’s something I had always wanted to do since I was a child. I have to say, though, it’s a little surreal at the moment having made the decision to step away and retire, but I’ve been fortunate to play since 2006 and it’s been an incredible journey.“
Fans on Twitter emotionally reacted as William Porterfield announced his retirement
Here are some of the top tweets reacting to Porterfield’s announcement:
William Porterfield retires from all formats of the game, one of the legends in Irish cricket.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 16, 2022
📡: PORTY SAYS FAREWELL
— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) June 16, 2022
William Porterfield has announced his retirement today. After 16 years and 310 caps, we simply say “Thank you, Porty”.
➡️ Read his statement and reaction: https://t.co/vqhkhzd31V#ThankYouPorty #BackingGreen ☘️🏏 pic.twitter.com/AZSNuNso1L
Happy retirement William Porterfield! pic.twitter.com/NMzRYClUuy
— Cricket Addictor (@AbdullahNeaz) June 16, 2022
Underrated Irish legend
— Yasir_official /🏏 (@ParayYasir2) June 16, 2022
Most games as captain for Ireland :
— Rhitankar Bandyopadhyay (@rhitankar8616) June 16, 2022
172 – William Porterfield (say WP)
113 – WP in ODIs
82 – WP in bilaterals
75 – WP at neutral venues
74 – WP in Europe
62 – WP in Ireland
60 – WP in Asia
56 – WP in T20Is
.
.
51 – Andy Balbirnie
32 – Trent Johnston@purdy34 announces retirement
🏏
— The Cricket Wire (@TheCricketWire) June 16, 2022
🍀 148 ODIs, 61 T20Is & 3 Tests for Ireland
💪 5,480 runs & 11 centuries
🧢 Long-serving captain
🌟 Pathbreaker & inspiration
William Porterfield has announced his retirement from international cricket. 🌍 pic.twitter.com/xDFPOKRXKr
William Porterfield has called time on a 16-year career during which Ireland progressed from an amateur side to a Test-playing nationhttps://t.co/KAFoav79BU
— CricWick (@CricWick) June 16, 2022
William Porterfield retires from International Cricket. One of the technically gifted southpaws from Ireland. pic.twitter.com/ntYqM0jxoZ
— 😎AK #MI💙😎 (@Sudharsan_ak) June 16, 2022
Hats off to William Porterfield! 🎩🎩 A true icon of the game whose contributions must always be remembered. 🇮🇪😇
— Vijayshhekhar Niyogi (@Vijay_t20) June 16, 2022
What a career! 👏
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) June 16, 2022
Ireland's longest-serving captain William Porterfield has called time on his international playing career to focus on coaching.#BBCCricket
