LONDON: Ireland’s longest-serving captain and legend, William Porterfield, has announced his retirement from international cricket after joining Gloucestershire County as a consultant coach.
Porterfield, 37, has ended his international career after leading his national team to 172 caps, including two ODI World Cups. He has also captained Ireland in three Tests the team has played so far.
Porterfield made his debut in 2006 and appeared in 212 caps to become Ireland’s second most capped player after Kevin O’Brien.
Porterfield, while announcing his retirement, was honored to represent his country for over 16 years and advance his national team from an amateur team to a test nation.
“It has been an honor to represent my country for 16 years, it is something I have always wanted to do since I was a child,” Porterfield was quoted as saying by Cricket Ireland.
“During my career, we have gone from being an amateur team to now being a test nation. With those who have come before me and throughout my journey, we have hopefully built an infrastructure that will allow the game in Ireland to continue to flourish,” he added.
The 37-year-old announced that he would now be looking at coaching roles in the future and had been looking for the right opportunity to start a coaching career.
“I was given the opportunity to join Gloucestershire as Consultant Coach until the end of the season, and these opportunities don’t come along very often,” he said.
“Training is something I would like to get involved with next, and after speaking with my fiancée Hayley, my dad, and a few other people, I decided to take this opportunity,” Porterfield reflected.
The legendary Irish cricketer also expressed his desire to become the head coach of his national team.
“Ultimately, one day, would I like to stay involved and make an impact in Cricket Ireland?
Yes. When that is in the future as a potential head coach, I would like to be in a position where I would be considered for that,” he concluded.
Former Ireland captain Porterfield scored 4,343 runs with 30.58 in ODI to become Ireland’s second leading run-scorer after Paul Stirling.
Meanwhile, he made 1079 at 20.35 in T20I cricket.
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