Tim Murtagh announces retirement from international cricket
Ireland pacer Tim Murtagh has hung up his boots and retired from international cricket after signing a two-year contract with Middlesex. The decision has stemmed from the fact that the new ECB regulations would have seen him classed as an overseas player had he continued his international career.
After moving from Surrey in 2007, Murtagh established himself as a Middlesex legend, having taken over 1000 wickets for the County Club based out of Lord's. Given his status as a potent pace bowler, he made his debut for Ireland in 2012 thanks to his Irish grandparents and went on to feature in all three formats, bowling their first ball as a Test nation at Malahide last year. However, his moment under the sun came at Lord's last July when he dismantled English batting line-up on his way to a brilliant seven-wicket haul in the first innings, which has now become the last Test match of his career.
Things started becoming a bit complicated after Ireland's rise to Test status that propelled ECB to revoke their status as non-overseas players. Considering the fact that the new rule would come into effect from next summer, Murtagh has decided to stay with his word given to Angus Fraser, that he would stick with the county if required to make the choice. Several Irish players have been forced to give up county contracts in recent times, including Paul Stirling at Middlesex, because of the reputation international cricket brings to a player.
"This is a day that I have known has been coming for a few years since the ECB changed their regulations, but it hasn't made the decision any easier. I've had eight great years playing international cricket and loved every minute of it. It's sad that it has come to an end but a decision that I have made my peace with. I made a promise to Angus Fraser when I first started playing international cricket that if I ever had to make a choice between playing for Ireland or rewarding Middlesex for the commitment they'd shown to me over the years, that I would commit to finishing my playing days at Lord's," Murtagh said, reported Cricinfo.
"Having been a member of the Middlesex family for over a decade now, I believe that with the additions we've made over the winter, we have one of the most promising squads here now that I've ever been a part of. I wouldn't have committed my future to Middlesex unless I felt that the club shared my ambition to win trophies and we have a huge amount of young talent here to drive us towards that goal. Under the new coaching regime, we've got a harmonious dressing room that is excited for the new season to get underway and a new captain that everyone is keen to impress," the 39-year-old added.
Having made his T20I and ODI debuts within a few days of each other in July 2012, Murtagh was a part of the 2016 World T20 team, before making three Test appearances for Ireland. Cricket Ireland's performance director Richard Holdsworth has words of gratitude for their talismanic cricketer.
"On behalf of the management and staff of Cricket Ireland, I'd like to thank Tim for his eight years of service to Irish cricket. It only seems like the other day that we were organising the paperwork to allow him to declare for Ireland - while you always hope for the best when opportunities like that arise, little did we know the impact he would have on the international setup," Holdsworth said.
"Irish cricket has been on quite a journey over the last decade, and Tim has certainly played a key role in our rise. That the Lord's Test will be his last game for us is very appropriate, and he certainly gave a lot of Irish fans great pleasure on that first morning having written his name on the honours board before lunch.
"We know how hard the decision was for him, but we wish Tim, Karina and his family well. I would also like to thank Angus Fraser and all at Middlesex Cricket for their support and flexibility in working with us on Tim's availability for internationals and tours. Cricket Ireland and Middlesex have had a great relationship over many years, and it is always appreciated when club and country can work so well together for the benefit of the player."