New Delhi: New Zealand all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme has announced his retirement from international cricket. He stated injuries and increasing competition in the national side to be the significant factors behind this decision. In his illustrious career, he was part of the World Test Championship winning side and the New Zealand team that reached the finals of the 2019 World Cup.

In a statement released by New Zealand Cricket, Grandhomme said, “I accept I’m not getting any younger and that the training is getting harder, particularly with the injuries. I also have a growing family and am trying to understand what my future looks like post-cricket. All of this has been on my mind over the past few weeks.” He also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to play for the Black Caps since debuting in 2012.

The 36-year-old cricketer added, “I’ve made many lasting friendships with teammates, coaching staff and opponents, and will treasure the memories for the rest of my life.” New Zealand’s head coach Gary Stead said that Colin has contributed to the team’s greatest achievements and is a great team-man.

In his 10-year international career, he has played 29 Tests, 45 ODIs and 41 T20Is. He has scored 1432 Test runs, including two centuries and has picked 49 wickets. In ODIs, he has 742 runs and 30 wickets, while in T20Is he has scored 505 runs with an impressive strike rate of 138.35, picking 12 wickets.

Grandhomme made his debut for New Zealand in a T20I game against Zimbabwe, the country he was born in and left in 2006. On his debut game, he did not bowl and neither got to face a ball. His last international appearance was against England in the Test match, where he scored 42*(50) in the first inning and got run out without scoring in the second. He also picked up the wicket of Joe Root in the first inning.