After playing one Test and 59 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) for Australia, Clint McKay announced his retirement from international cricket on Wednesday (March 30). McKay is expected to continue playing for Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League (BBL) and Leicestershire in the County Championship. 

“It’s been a pleasure to be involved with @bushrangers for the past 11 years. All great things come to an end. What an amazing time I had,” McKay tweeted after Victoria won successive Sheffield Shield titles and their 30th overall.

McKay, who made his ODI debut against India in Hyderabad in 2009, was known for his ability to trouble the batsmen with a box full of variations. McKay played his only Test against West Indies at the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) ground in 2009.

For his consistent performances in limited-overs cricket, McKay was awarded the ODI player of the year in 2013. In 2013, McKay also picked up a hat-trick against England in a ODI in Cardiff. However, at the end of that year, McKay struggled to make his mark in a ODI series held in India by snaring a mere four wickets. With a string of promising fast bowlers coming through the ranks, he soon lost his place in the side.

“I didn’t have a great series of India (in 2013) and that was the beginning of the end (of my international career),” McKay told cricket.com.au. “I came back to Australia and had a good summer – I only played three games but I did quite well in two of those three games.

“It was a little disappointing to lose my spot but the young generation coming through have got some superstars in the making. They were performing quite well and it was great for them to get their opportunity. It was disappointing that it had to come at my expense but it’s just one of those things that happens in the pressure of sport,” McKay noted.

With 18 scalps to his name, McKay ended as the highest wicket-taker in the BBL 2015-16. However, McKay could only play just three games for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield. “If the team hadn’t been so successful, it would have been a lot harder to take,” said McKay.

“However, we’ve got some great young guys coming through and also some senior heads, so it’s actually quite a hard side to cement your spot in. You look at the guys who’ve played in the last two Shield finals – you’ve got James Pattinson, Peter Siddle and John Hastings who are Australian bowlers, and this year you’ve seen the younger guys in Scott Boland and Chris Tremain step up,” he concluded.

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