West Indies pacer Shannon Gabriel retires from international cricket

On Wednesday, August 28, West Indies pacer Shannon Gabriel announced his retirement from international cricket after plying his trade on the biggest stage in the sport for 12 years. The 36-year-old made the call after playing 59 Tests, 25 ODIs, and two T20Is for the Caribbean side from 2012 to 2023.

Gabriel expressed his gratitude to God for the opportunity to represent the West Indies internationally. He also thanked the Cricket West Indies administrators, coaches, support staff, and teammates for supporting his cricketing journey.

"During the past 12 years, I have dedicated myself to playing international cricket for the West Indies. Playing this beloved game at the highest level has brought me immense joy, but as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. Today, I am announcing my retirement from International cricket," Gabriel said on Instagram. 

"Firstly, I would like to express my gratitude to God for the numerous blessings and the opportunities my family and I have received during my time playing for the West Indies. Secondly, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Cricket West Indies administrators, coaches, and staff members. Words cannot adequately convey the appreciation I have for your hard work and support over the years. Last but not least, I am grateful to my teammates and all those who have stood by me and supported me along the way. You have made my journey to the top truly special," the right-arm seamer added. 

Also Read: Twitter Reactions: Rampant West Indies blow away South Africa in 3rd T20I to complete series whitewash

Shannon Gabriel reveals future plans 

Gabriel asserted that he would continue playing for his country, Trinidad and Tobago, and would also be featured in club and franchise cricket.

"Moving forward, my plan is to continue representing my country [Trinidad and Tobago], club, and franchise teams around the world with the same love and passion I have shown throughout my career," Gabriel stated.

Also Read: ‘We'll identify areas where we can get better at’ - Aiden Markram after consecutive defeat against West Indies

During his international career, Gabriel finished with 166 Test wickets at an average of 32.22 and a strike rate of 56.50. He bagged six five-fors and registered the fourth-best match figures for a West Indian - 13 for 121, which he picked up at home against Sri Lanka in June 2018. Gabriel was known for his ability to bowl at great speeds and extract a lot of bounce even from placid surfaces. In the ODI circuit, he bagged 33 wickets at an average of 34.36. Meanwhile, in the two matches he played in the shortest format of the game, the seamer picked up three scalps.