John Hastings retires from Test and ODI cricket to focus on T20s
Australia pace bowler John Hastings announced his retirement from Test and 50-over cricket following a career of recurring injuries. The 31-year-old, who has played one Test, 29 ODIs and nine T20Is for Australia, revealed on Friday that he will now concentrate on the shorter format of the game.
John Hastings became the latest name to join the bandwagon of players who are quitting international and first-class cricket to become a T20 specialist, as the pace bowler announced his retirement from Test and 50-over game on Friday. This year has already seen Australia’s Chris Lynn and New Zealand’s Luke Ronchi and Mitchell McClenaghan opting to forego state or national team contracts to focus only on T20.
The fast bowler from New South Wales, who was expected to miss the early stages of the JLT One-Day Cup after suffering a back injury in Melbourne last month, revealed that his decision was a tough phase of his life. Speaking to cricket.com.au, he said, “Trying to get back after four shoulder reconstructions, four major ankle operations, and a major knee operation has just worn me down."
"The body is just giving up and every time I try to load back to get back to four-day cricket or one-day cricket, it seems as if something else goes. It was a tough decision, one that wasn't made lightly, but I've decided to give the two longer formats away and focus on T20.
"I've had a tough run with injuries lately but I've still thoroughly enjoyed every moment with the Victorian boys over the years. I also want to thank everyone involved
Hastings played only one Test for Australia back in 2012 and was capped 29 times in ODIs between 2010 and 2017. He has also played for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL last year. His only Test match came against South Africa at the WACA ground where he took only one wicket.
He showed his brilliant performance in 2016 as an ODI bowler when he claimed 29 wickets in 15 matches, which was more than any other pace bowler that year. In the T20Is, Hastings has played nine games so far, picking up seven wickets.